Anwar, who is to take over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister under a deal reached by Pakatan Harapan leaders, said his main focus now was to help strengthen the new government.

“Even when it was recently proposed for me to be IIUM president, I did not want it.

“Why? I just want to support and help strengthen the government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” he said when addressing PH supporters during a campaign speech for the Seri Setia by-election in Ara Damansara tonight.

The post of the IIUM president has been dogged with controversy following the appointment of Education Minister Maszlee Malik.

Critics have questioned the move, saying it was a conflict of interest and against PH’s pledge to prevent government intervention in tertiary institutions.

When asked about Maszlee holding the post, Anwar refused to comment, saying it was up to the Cabinet if it wanted to discuss the matter.

Maszlee is the third education minister to assume the top post at the university since its establishment more than three decades ago.

The former IIUM student, who was also a lecturer at the university before joining politics early this year, replaces Rais Yatim as the university’s seventh president.

Following criticism of his appointment, Maszlee received support from the university’s management as well as academic staff, who said their former colleague was the best candidate for the post.

IIUM also said Maszlee’s appointment has received the consent of the university’s constitutional head, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang.