Tough being an Education Minister, says KJ and Siti Kasim
PUCHONG: While several quarters lauded Dr Maszlee Malik’s resignation as Education Minister, he also received some encouraging words from Umno MP Khairy Jamaluddin and even his fierce critic, lawyer-activist Siti Kasim.
In an Instagram post, Khairy acknowledged that the Education Minister post was tough and it would not have been easy for Maszlee to announce his resignation.
“For what it’s worth, this was a harsh decision. You had the toughest portfolio in government and it’s impossible to see drastic changes in less than two years.
“I can think of a dozen ministers who deserve to go. I heard you were well liked by the teachers and introduced many meaningful reforms. I wish you well, D Maszlee. Roda kehidupan selalu berputar. Chin up,” he said.
Yesterday, Maszlee announced that he was quitting his post effective today, at the advise of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He also criticised the media for putting him in bad light and blamed excessive politicking for hampering his efforts to reform the nation’s education system.
On related matter, activist Siti Kasim said that the public should stop demonising Maszlee now and focus on the next course of action.
“I know people might think I’m jubilant on the news. Believe me, I feel the opposite. Sad that it has come to this. I was hoping, he would push for change as we all know the standard of our education is way below par.
“I think people should stop demonizing him now and we move forward. I just hope whoever replace him will take cognisance on the many things I’ve written about education,” she said.
Siti has been Maszlee staunchest critic since the latter helmed the education portfolio. She has been a vocal proponent of removing religion from classroom studies.
Maszlee drew Siti’s ire when the former called for educationist to use Sarawak as a ‘medan dakwah’ (Islamic proselytisation) in a speech last year.
By G Vinod
