Education Minister Maszlee's 'messiah complex'

Dr Maszlee Malik knows there is nothing the students can do. And so he grins from ear to ear.

Meeting with student protestors to 'listen to their views' is nothing but a political move in an attempt to appease those who oppose his appointment.

His mind is already made up.

"I am looking beyond this seven days. In fact, what I can do for IIUM within this five years is more important and I want to make it the Oxford of Muslim Countries." -(NST)

In 7 days, the students shall protest again but he has already made clear his intention to proceed with the appointment. I just hope they won't be arrested.

Maszlee may smile widely but for Asheeq Ali, this isn't a joke. It is not a situation to be laughed at and brushed off in front of the media with a "Rilek la bro" attitude.

For Asheeq Ali, it is personal. In 2016, he was suspended for one semester and fined RM 200 by UKM for his involvement in the Tangkap M01 rally. University autonomy is an issue that has affected not only him but many others as well.

“Once I complete my mission and bring back the glory of IIUM, I will relinquish my position and amend the rules so that no politicians can be appointed as the university’s president." -(NST)-

The statement above is worrying.

It shows the hypocrisy and self-aggrandizing attitude that Maszlee has. By intending to prevent the appointment of future politicians as the university's president, he acknowledges to a certain extent that such appointments are harmful and yet he implies in the same sentence that he is subject to a different standard than any other politician. The truth of the matter is that he is merely continuing a harmful precedent. Whether or not he will amend the rules in the future is not a promise that is reliable given that he has already gone against his own word.

“Itu (lantikan) bukan keputusan saya. Saya dilantik pengurusan UIAM (atas dasar) mereka sedia untuk berubah (mengembalikan kegemilangan). Adakah selepas mereka membuat keputusan saya kecewakan mereka?" - (BH)

There are many holes in Maszlee's logic. Just because they have made the decision, it does not mean that you cannot reject it. Denying that he can reject the appointment is a delusional assertion on his part. It shows a messiah complex.

"IIUM does not fall under this act (UUCA) and the board is free to appoint anyone it feels is the best person to hold the position... So, my appointment is not a violation of that law." -(NST)

If you are already planning to abolish the UUCA, shouldn't it not matter regardless of whether the UUCA applies to IIUM or not? Being the president of a public university while also being a politician affiliated with the current ruling coalition and while holding the Education Minister post is not sending a good message in regards to university autonomy regardless of your intentions.

It should be noted that if the university is really keen on Maszlee's skills and ability then they should only appoint him after his tenure as Education Minister has ended. Why appoint him now? Is it because the benefits that can be reaped from appointing him now is to a certain extent contributed by Maszlee's political position? If yes, then the appointment is to a certain extent political. Even if it is intended or not, one cannot deny that Maszlee's political position will play a significant role.

To those who argue that this is an insignificant matter or to those who argue why people weren't too hung up about this in the past when BN politicians apparently had political appointments left and right, it is perhaps time for you to acknowledge that half of the problems we are currently experiencing are because most of the older generation decided to normalise such a detrimental culture and to turn a blind eye to the slow erosion of university autonomy.

We have a chance to start over (sort of) and if we do not use this opportunity to be strict and tough on our politicians regardless of who their political allegiance is with than we don't deserve the title of 'Malaysia Baru' because it might as well be the same old Malaysia.

Students are sick and tired of having inches be taken away from us time and time again. It's time we protect every inch of what we have when it comes to university autonomy and our freedom to speak.

No more compromises.

-First published on Facebook and Malaysiakini