PETALING JAYA: Education Minister Maszlee Malik has agreed to relinquish his post as International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) president.

Free Malaysia Today reported that Maszlee agreed to relinquish the post, pending his replacement by a suitable candidate.

“He is in the middle of appointing somebody to replace him. However, the process will take time, since consent is needed from the prime minister and the sultan of Pahang,” an aide to the minister told FMT.

This news comes days after Wan Saiful Wan Jan abruptly resigned as the special adviser to Maszlee.

The sultan of Pahang, who is the constitutional head of IIUM, reportedly named Maszlee as the varsity’s president.

However, the decision did not sit well with some student groups, who said it was against the coalition’s promise not to put politicians in charge of academic institutions.

The news portal also noted that the Cabinet recently echoed calls by the student groups for Maszlee to vacate the post.

The aide told FMT that Maszlee had decided to delay his exit from the university until the end of its four-day convocation ceremony, which begins tomorrow.

“It still needs a president, and after the convocation the process of replacement will take place. It is a matter of due process,” the aide added.