Maszlee can be minister again if he wins in GE16, says Khaled

Maszlee can be minister again if he wins in GE16, says Khaled

The higher education minister responds to remarks that the two education portfolios should be given to academics instead of politicians.

Khaled Nordin (left) has taken a dig at Maszlee Malik for saying politicians should not be appointed as education and higher education ministers.
KUALA LUMPUR:
Higher education minister Khaled Nordin has taken a dig at Maszlee Malik after the PKR man said the education and higher education portfolios should be given to academics instead of politicians after the next general election.

“Maybe he can be appointed if he wins (a parliamentary seat) in the next general election,” Khaled said in jest at a press conference here today.

On Dec 30, Maszlee, a former education minister, said politicians should not be given the education and higher education portfolios after the 16th general election.

The PKR central leadership council member said these positions should be filled by academics instead, adding that they would be in a better position to determine the direction of the ministries.

Maszlee, the former Simpang Renggam MP, was the education minister in the Pakatan Harapan government from May 2018 to January 2020. Previously, he was a lecturer with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

He failed to defend his parliamentary seat in GE15 and also lost the contest for the Layang-Layang seat during the Johor state election in March last year.

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