Education Minister Maszlee Malik is currently meeting Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Putrajaya.

A government source confirmed that the meeting is taking place at the Prime Minister's Office but was tightlipped on the details.

“I can confirm the meeting but I cannot divulge details,” the source told Malaysiakini this afternoon.

The meeting comes amid intense speculation that Maszlee would announce his resignation or be dropped from the cabinet.

Malaysiakini has contacted the minister's press secretary Zul Fikri Zamir and political aide Mahmood Kassim for comment.

While Zul Fikri did not respond, Mahmood, however, told Malaysiakini to attend the minister's press conference scheduled for 4.30pm at the Ministry of Education in Putrajaya.

Maszlee's head is said to be on the chopping block due to the intense criticism against him in helming the education portfolio.

Earlier, FMT reported that the reshuffle might also affect several deputy ministers.

Maszlee was a lecturer with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) before he joined politics prior to joining Bersatu just before the 14th general election.

He wrested the Simpang Renggam seat in Johor away from BN.

When Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya, he was not the first choice to become the education minister.

Instead, Mahathir had wanted the portfolio for himself before being reminded that the Harapan manifesto barred the prime minister from holding other portfolios. 

Since helming the ministry, Maszlee has come under fire over several policies, such as the plan to make school shoes black by 2021, and over the introduction of Jawi in the Year 4 Bahasa Malaysia syllabus.

Maszlee may not be the only minister making an exit from Putrajaya.

Mahathir had indicated that a cabinet reshuffle would be considered following Harapan's crushing defeat in Tanjung Piai last November.