Maszlee Malik

Background

• Born in Johor Bahru, Johor; of Malay, Hakka Chinese and Bugis descent and fluent in six languages: Malay, Arabic, English, French, German and Mandarin[1]
• Holds a PhD in Political Science and Governance from Durham University (2011), a Master's and Bachelor's in Syariah, and is a professor at University of Cyberjaya (2023)[2]
• Former Minister of Education and former Member of Parliament for Simpang Renggam (2018-2022)[2][1]
• Former president of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2018 and chairman of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) since 2023[1]
• A PKR Central Leadership Council (MPP) member, head of the party's International Relations Bureau and head of the Simpang Renggam branch[2]
• As minister, launched a free primary-school breakfast programme for up to 2.7 million pupils, abolished exams for Year 1 to 3, completed upgrades for 90% of dilapidated schools nationwide and cut teachers' clerical workload[1]
• The introduction of Jawi script in vernacular schools during his tenure drew protests from parts of the Chinese and Indian communities, and he backed the 90% Bumiputera matriculation quota[1]
• Resigned as Education Minister in January 2020 at the Prime Minister's request[3][1]
• Born in Johor Bahru and aged 51; holds a PhD in Political Science and Governance from Durham University (2011), a Master of Syariah from Universiti Malaya (2004) and a Bachelor of Syariah from Al-Bayt University (1999); appointed a Professor at the University of Cyberjaya in 2023.[4]
• Before entering politics, served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at IIUM's Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (2000-2018), a Senior Fellow at IDEAS (2014-2015) and a Visiting Fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, and has authored more than 60 books; born on 19 December 1974.[5]
• As the Puteri Wangsa candidate, he highlights traffic congestion and road conditions, community and workplace childcare facilities, and efforts to reduce school dropout rates in low-cost housing areas.[6]

Controversies

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• At GE14 (2018), he pledged on social media to abolish the Simpang Renggam toll if PH won, even challenging residents to hold him to it; the toll remained throughout his term as MP, and the unfulfilled promise is repeatedly raised by voters, including in 2026.[7][8]

References

1. 1.en.wikipedia.org
2. 2.facebook.com (2026-06-24)
3. 3.thestar.com.my
4. 4.facebook.com (2026-06-28)
5. 5.facebook.com (2018-05-21)
6. 6.thestar.com.my (2026-06-30)
7. 7.malaysianow.com (2022-03-04)
8. 8.mynewshub.tv (2026-06-01)