PUTRAJAYA, June 21 — The government has advised “two-faced” vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors who support Barisan Nasional (BN) to resign, Education Minister Maszlee Malik said today.

He told the press that he has already had closed-door meetings with some of the academics from public universities to convey Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s wishes. 

"So, it was also mentioned that vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors, who clearly have a record, or do not see eye-to-eye, or are publicly known to oppose the new government, were asked to let go of their position, and whoever whose terms are coming to an end, we won’t reappoint them.

“Because there are too many records, especially those who appeared in the media, and some had questioned the prime minister’s age, the qualification of the current government and all that, but after midnight, they changed their tone.

“So we don’t want two-faced people like this,” he said, adding that he had offered such academics the chance to step down gracefully.

Maszlee added that academics who are currently still serving their term would be given the option of continuing their jobs under the current government or resign.

He said that the government does not prefer such “continued hypocrisy”, as academics should be firm on their stand.

Maszlee also assured that only credible candidates would be appointed to fill the vacancies, pledging not to make any political appointments.

“Firstly, we will make sure only those who are qualified can be promoted, and the appointments of those who are qualified, we have a few levels,” he said.

The minister added that the university’s board of directors can submit the names of vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor candidates, or have the Higher Education Ministry make the recommendations.

“What is certain is, I would not appoint anyone from my party to become vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors, meaning I choose them because they are Bersatu members. No, I won’t do that,” he said referring to his party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).

“This is my promise. But if they are appointed, and later become party members, then that, we cannot block,” he said.

Maszlee said at best, he preferred the appointees to be apolitical, to ensure that public universities are free from politics.

On June 1, Dr Mahathir expressed misgivings about the loyalty of “numerous” civil servants who were openly supportive of the defeated BN, and may disrupt the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

Dr Mahathir said there were videos of civil servants wearing BN’s signature blue uniforms and actively campaigning for the coalition ahead of the 14th general election.

“We came to know that many government officers campaigned for BN in the 14th general election. We don’t know whether they were forced to it or did it voluntarily, but we are sceptical of their loyalty.

“We are not sure if they are loyal to the old BN government or the current government. This will disrupt the PH government because we want to administer the country according to our methods and manifesto,” said Dr Mahathir.

https://www.malaymail.com/s/1644215/maszlee-pro-bn-vice-chancellors-told-to-quit