KUALA LUMPUR: When Dr Maszlee Malik was announced the new Education Minister, the Simpang Renggam member of parliament was as surprised as anyone.
This was especially so as Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had earlier been announced as having taken the education portfolio.
But Dr Mahathir, when informed that this had gone against the Pakatan Harapan election manifesto pledge that the prime minister should hold no other portfolio, had then decided that someone else should be education minister.
News portal Malaysiakini reported that Maszlee, though surprised, promised to give his all during his upcoming tenure.
“This is an honour. I will do the best I can to serve the people and the country,” he said.
Maszlee is a former International Islamic University Malaysia lecturer. He joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in March.
In the recently-concluded 14th general election, he polled 18,157 votes, beating Barisan Nasional’s Liang Teck Meng (14,682) and Pas candidate Mohd Jubri Selamat (2,983).