HULU SELANGOR: After about week into the job as the acting education minister, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is considering whether there should be a separate ministry for higher education.
“That is something that I will consider. I will come into the office as soon as possible.
“I have to study the problems first before I make any decisions. There are many problems in the education ministry (that need attention).
“I need to know why the problem took place and find solutions for them,” he told reporters after a site visit at Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd’s rail depot in Serendah, today.
Dr Mahathir was reported as saying that his post was only temporary until the next minister was appointed.
He is shouldering the role of acting minister following Dr Maszlee Malik’s resignation on Jan 2, amid controversies surrounding the ministry.
Dr Mahathir’s appointment, which came into effect on Jan 3, was agreed to by Cabinet during a meeting on Jan 8, the Prime Minister’s Office announced.
He had previously held the Education Ministry portfolio between 1974 and 1977.
On the spate of influenza flu cases affecting school children, Dr Mahathir said the education ministry would obtain further details on the matter from the Health Ministry before any decision could be made.
“Health Ministry is currently taking (necessary) actions.
“They (ministry) need to assess the extent of the danger of the disease; whether it is already wide-spread and becomes endemic or it is still at an early stage where we need to take necessary actions,” he said.