With Suitors From All Sides Party Less Maszlee Remains Coy On Future

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INTERVIEW | Newly party-less Maszlee Malik says he has been courted by suitors from both sides of the political aisle, but he remains coy as to whether he has chosen the one for him yet.
The Simpang Renggam MP was a founding member of Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Pejuang but quit last week, just three months after the party was announced.
A Mahathir loyalist who stuck by the former prime minister’s side throughout the Bersatu leadership crisis, Maszlee’s latest move has led rise to speculation about his political ambitions.
“The offers have come from all (political parties). The only ones who have not offered me anything are MIC and MCA. MIC and MCA have not asked me yet.
“And the Sarawak-based parties have not asked me. There is no way I can be a representative for Sarawak parties!” Maszlee joked in a recent interview with Malaysiakini at his newly launched Education Rejuvenation Organisation in Cyberjaya.
Admitting he was unsure if all the offers were serious, he, however, declined to disclose his final decision.
Maszlee’s first foray into politics was in 2018 when he contested under a Bersatu ticket and won.
A former political science professor at International Islamic University Malaysia, he was made education minister and served an eventful 20 months before Mahathir advised him to resign.
Maszlee initially sided with party president Muhyiddin Yassin during February’s Sheraton Move political coup.
He ultimately made an about-turn to back Mahathir, explaining he could not bear working with Umno leaders tainted by corruption allegations.


No regrets
The past two years have matured this former political novice, and he told Malaysiakini he bore no regrets from his stints with Bersatu and Pejuang.
“Nothing in our lives is wasted. We will succeed at some things, wish for some things, and sometimes we will do things not as we wished them to be.
“We can’t regret these things or feel that they are wasted. Everything has lessons and experiences to teach us. More importantly, they will be able to mature us in life,” he philosophised.
During the interview, Maszlee repeatedly dodged questions about his GE15 plans.
When asked, he answered that he was now focused on bringing education issues to the fore and serving his constituents.
“I think what is more important now is how I can fully concentrate on the trust given to me in GE14.
“While representing the constituency I have been a minister, a government MP, an opposition MP and now an independent MP.
“To me, I need to focus all my efforts and energy on the welfare of the Simpang Renggam people, no matter where I am... They will decide what happens in the end,” he said.
'Can’t stop everyone from having an imagination'


Maszlee was previously alleged to have signed a statutory declaration pledging support for PKR president Anwar Ibrahim to form a new government.
The move was said to have strained his relationship with his Pejuang colleagues.
Asked about this, he sidestepped the question and repeated that his intention was to focus on his constituents and education issues.
Pressed if PKR was his ideal political party, he again deflected and said it was unfair to compare political parties.
“We have many interesting parties, and many of them have their respective strengths and weaknesses...
“I think it is unfair for me to say which party is better than the other,” Maszlee added.
As speculation continues to swirl over his political future, Maszlee appeared to bask in the ambiguity, sharing incredulously about the rumours he heard of himself joining DAP, Amanah and PAS.
“Some even said I should join Umno.
“To me, speculation is among the things that entertain the rakyat.
“I can’t stop everyone from having an imagination and behaving that way,” he quipped. - Mkini

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