If they can lie to Agong about SDs, what more on education: Maszlee

KUALA LUMPUR – Former education minister Maszlee Malik did not hide his disdain at the government’s apparent failure in addressing issues concerning education, accusing those in power of defying the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. 

The Simpang Renggam MP noted how His Majesty had, during his address in Dewan Rakyat last year, explicitly decreed for the government to be inclusive and apolitical in improving the education system after two years of Covid-19 restrictions. 

However, he noted that there has yet to be any attempt from those in Putrajaya to implement the King’s order. 

“This is not strange. If we listen to what the president (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) said earlier about how they (government MPs) lied to the Agong relating to statutory declarations (SDs), what more when it comes to education issues. 

“They can just disobey and ‘derhaka’ to the Agong,” he said in a fiery speech at the PKR national congress today. 

Earlier today, when delivering his policy speech, Anwar had accused Umno MPs of deceiving the king after they supposedly submitted SDs claiming to back the PKR president as the new prime minister. 

He recalled on the same night, he had received text messages from Umno leaders demanding his commitment to drop court cases involving them if he was to receive their support. 

Anwar, however, revealed that he decided not to heed the request, effectively compromising his chance of becoming prime minister. 

Maszlee warned that unlike economic crises which have repercussions lasting a few years, ignoring education could have an impact on the country that can last for generations. 

“We should be worried by the state of our education today, which is led by a minister and two deputies who are unqualified,” he said. 

Commenting further, Maszlee said any reform to the education system should not only involve the minister, but should start from the prime minister, adding that Anwar would make the perfect candidate. 

“We need a prime minister who cares for education, who has vision. Not someone who is still stuck in the dinosaur era. 

“We need a prime minister who understands the people’s suffering, who lives with the rakyat.

“If we want a prime minister (with these qualities), I propose no other than our president, Anwar Ibrahim.” – The Vibes, July 16, 2022