IIUM students to conduct survey on Maszlee's appointment as president
Advertisement
AFTER student activists had failed to force Maszlee Malik to resign as International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) president, the university’s student council has snow embarked on a survey to gauge feedback on the education minister’s appointment at the university.
Seeking to end the stand-off between the minister and student activists, the council has distributed questionnaires to IIUM students at both its Gombak-Pagoh and Kuantan campuses, seeking their feedback on the pros and cons of Maszlee being appointed its president.
A council rep said that instead of just adding more public statements and making the situation more chaotic, they decided to come out with this survey to gauge the perception of the students.
The decision to come out with the survey was reached after a meeting on Sunday with various student leaders.
The student council listed down the pros and cons of Maszlee being accepted as IIUM president in the brochure with was sent out with the questionnaire.
Among the pros was that the appointment of Maszlee was “clear vision in bringing glory to IIUM”. They also pointed out that the difference in the university’s structure required a minister to be president and Maszlee’s experience as a lecturer previously at the university makes it easier for him to understand the issues faced by the university.
The cons was that this went against the Pakatan Harapan manifesto and that it sets a precedent to more political appointees in the education system.
Student activities representing several universities had met Maszlee last week where they had given him one week to step down. They threatened to hold more protests if he did not step down. The minister, however, stood his ground.
The Bersatu man told the students he will continue in his role as IIUM president but promised them he will raise the matter with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had appointed him as IIUM president.
Maszlee had also told the students he wanted to stay on and elevate IIUM, making it “the Oxford of Muslim countries”.
There has been widespread criticism after Maszlee was appointed IIUM president when the Pakatan Harapan manifesto promised more autonomy to universities.
Students from several universities had already protested outside Maszlee’s office and have demanded that he step down.
Maszlee had argued that he was appointed by the prime minister and had also received the consent of Pahang ruler Sultan Ahmad Shah. – September 19, 2018.