Education Minister Maszlee Malik has agreed to resign as president of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

An aide to Maszlee confirmed this with Malaysiakini but added that this will take some time as it is now the university's convocation week.

"There is no pressure for him to resign," the aide added.

The aide said that Maszlee would leave once he finds a replacement that can see his planned reforms for IIUM through.

The process of appointing his replacement must also go through due process, the aide added.

Mazlee took up the IIUM president post in October, and defended his decision saying it was based on merit.

This followed criticisms from many, including student activist groups.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad later said that this appointment would be reviewed.

FMT reported that the cabinet had also maintained pressure on Maszlee to let go of the position.

The education minister's resignation from IIUM comes four days after fellow academic and Bersatu member Wan Saiful Wan Jan stepped down as the minister's special adviser.

Wan Saiful said this was so he could focus on his task as chair of the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN).