THERE have been speculations that former education minister Maszlee Malik could be making a comeback through the defunct National Education Advisory Council (NEAC) which is expected to be revived by the new government.
According to a news report published by FMT, speculations were aplenty after Maszlee wrote on Facebook that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had told him, “Your sabbatical will soon be over” following the PKR central leadership meeting last Saturday.
Recall that a month ago on Dec 15, it was reported that Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said that the ministry intends to bring back the NEAC, adding that the advisory council will help the ministry to shape ideas and strategies for the trajectory of the country’s education.
However, Fadhlina did not specify what will be under the council’s purview and said that it will be addressed alongside the list of names to be included in the council in the near future.
On Dec 31, she said she will announce the names of the members of the council within the next two weeks, adding that the council will comprise stakeholders in the field of education such as activists, teachers, retired teachers and academicians.
“Best candidate for position in NEAC”
The news portal further reported a senior MP from Pakatan Harapan (PH) as saying that Maszlee would be the best candidate for a position on the NEAC.
In addition to setting up the NEAC in 2018, the former Simpang Renggam MP was previously an academic before becoming education minister when PH formed the federal government in 2018.
“We will be happy as he is the right choice and has much passion for education. He was the one who was responsible for setting up the NEAC in 2018,” said the MP who declined to be named as they were not privy to information about the position.
The council was established under Maszlee’s stint for a two-year term to give ideas and views to the ministry for setting the direction of the national education system.
In 2018, Maszlee had appointed 11 people to the council, with the late former education director-general Tan Sri Dr Wan Zahid Mohd Noordin as its chairman.
Among the members were Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Rahim, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) specialist Datuk Boonler Somchit and Khazanah Nasional Bhd education adviser Datuk Satinah Syed Saleh.
The NEAC was not revived under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government that took over after the PH government was ousted in 2020.
Maszlee, formerly with Bersatu, joined PKR in November and is a member of the party’s central leadership committee. – Jan 9, 2023
Main pic credit: Bernama
