Hashim, the founding CEO of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia, said Mazlee knew IIUM very well and respected academic freedom.

“He was a lecturer and also president of the academic staff association of that university.

“The sultan of Pahang as the constitutional head of IIUM has given his consent, and the academic staff and alumni association have also welcomed his appointment,” he said in a statement.

The remarks of Hashim, who himself was a professor of Islamic law and jurisprudence at IIUM from 1985 to 2004, follow a public outcry against Maszlee who replaced Rais Yatim as the university’s seventh president.

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

Critics say the appointment goes against Pakatan Harapan’s pledge to prevent government intervention in tertiary institutions.

However, Maszlee has received support from the varsity’s management as well as academic staff, who said their former colleague was the best candidate for the post.