Education Minister Maszlee Malik should immediately relinquish his post as president of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

Muhyiddin, who is also the president of Bersatu, said the decision to ask Maszlee to relinquish the post was made by the government and the party, but the Simpang Renggam MP had asked for more time.

“This is the decision of the government and the party, and he knows and accepts the decision.

"I would like to advise him to resign as quickly as possible,” he said, adding that Maszlee’s position as IIUM president was questionable because he held a ministerial post.

Muhyiddin said this at a press conference after chairing a meeting of the Standing Committee on Law Enforcement in Putrajaya today, which was also attended by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He was asked to respond to a statement from Maszlee’s aide that the minister would resign from the IIUM post after resolving some issues, including finding a replacement.

Maszlee was appointed as the seventh IIUM president for three years in September, which was approved by the IIUM constitutional head Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang. 

He succeeded former minister Rais Yatim, whose contract ended in July.

Meanwhile, when asked about DAP lawmakers openly supporting the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd), Muhyiddin said he had no problem with it because the final decision on ratification rests with the government.

“We do not restrict anyone from submitting their views, because in the end the government will decide and we are responsible for deciding what is best for the country,” he said.

- Bernama