THE Pakatan Harapan (PH) Education Committee today hurled brickbats at the Government for replacing respected academicians from public universities’ board with political appointees.
“We’re surprised that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Government did not continue with previous administration’s policy of hiring acclaimed professionals to helm public universities’ board.
“In fact, many of those apolitical appointees made in the past have been replaced with political personalities, particularly from Umno, having lesser credentials from their predecessors,” it said, in a statement.
Members of the Opposition education committee are Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Tampin MP Datuk Hasan Baharom, Sekijang MP Natrah binti Ismail, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong and Tangga Batu MP Rusnah Aluai.
On June 19, Malaysiakini reported Nik Nazmi as saying that at least 13 politicians linked to the ruling coalition have been appointed either to the board of directors or the board of governors of public universities, based on checks on the varsities’ websites.
Among them are Wanita Umno vice-chief Datuk Norliza Abdul Rahim who was appointed to the board of governors of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Umno supreme council member Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, appointed to the board of governors of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin, appointed to the board of directors of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Terengganu PAS commissioner Husain Awang who was appointed to the board of directors of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.
The minister should step in
Selayang Umno Youth vice-chief Mohd Sazili Shahibi, meanwhile, was appointed as deputy vice-chancellor in charge of student affairs at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
“The level of politicisation of our public universities is deplorable,” Nik Nazmi was reported saying.
Backing the PKR MP’s assertion, the committee said that the Government should refer to the National Education Plan 2015-2025 (Higher Education), which has clearly stated the need for public universities to appoint those with good credentials into its boards.
“But political appointments like this, which lacks merit, will dent our aspirations to take our higher education quality to greater heights,” it opined.
The committee then urged the Higher Education Ministry to review the matter urgently for the sake of upholding public universities’ image among the public.
“The ministry should be taking progressive and innovative steps to find ways to bring our higher education to greater heights during these trying times, instead of moving directionless,” it added. – June 22, 2021.
