The prime minister said the cabinet would keep him in check and the public need not be too concerned about a conflict of interest.

He also asked the public to allow the government “leniency” in appointing party members to certain posts if they were qualified.

In a joint interview with Malaysiakini and Sinar Harian, Mahathir gave, as example, a request from IIUM for funds from the education ministry, adding: “In the end, it is the finance ministry that must approve it.”

“There’s the cabinet too,” he said.

Maszlee has drawn flak from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan politicians for accepting the post.

They said PH had promised to restore academic freedom to institutions of higher learning and Maszlee’s appointment contradicted this stand,

Mahathir said when PH made the manifesto, they had not expected to win the May 9 general election and now that they had won, they should be allowed some “leniency”.

“If our people have the proper qualifications, even though we say that party members should not be appointed, they get in not because of the party but because of their capabilities,” he was quoted as saying.

He assured, however, that unlike the BN, PH would not people the entire management team with party members.