‘I have decided one thing’ – Mahathir plans to change black shoe policy

The newly minted acting Education Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he has much information to "digest" since taking up his post.

When asked about his new role, the prime minister said he received an extensive briefing from the Education Ministry yesterday.

“I’ve had a very long briefing yesterday. I’m still digesting the items they have brief me, and I am a little confused because so many facts are being given to me, so I’m studying them.

“But one thing I have decided is that you can wear brown shoes, black shoes, white shoes, grey shoes; any shoes will do,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, eliciting laughter from reporters and top Bersatu leaders present.

However, Mahathir looked serious as he made the statement.

He was speaking at a press conference after chairing the Bersatu supreme council meeting at Yayasan Albukhary today.

The policy to wearing black shoes instead of white in school uniforms was introduced by former education minister Maszlee Malik, and is being implemented in stages since last year until 2021.

On Wednesday, the Education Ministry issued a circular soliciting feedback from schools regarding the status of the implementation of the new policy.

Mahathir said he and Education Ministry's secretary-general Habibah Abdul Rahman are still new to their posts, and are still settling into their new roles following Maszlee’s announcement of his resignation on Jan 3. - Mkini