KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has "congratulated" Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik after it was decided that students must wear black-coloured socks with black shoes.
"This afternoon, after one-and-a-half months of research, our government officially announced that black-coloured socks must be matched with black school shoes.
"I congratulate the education minister for this glorious success," Najib jokingly said in a Facebook post today.
Najib's sarcastic remark comes after an official announcement that black-coloured socks will go with black shoes in government and government-aided schools.
It was reported that this new policy would be enforced in stages from next year but would only become compulsory from 2021.
This new directive was contained in a circular by Education Ministry director-general Amin Senin to all state education departments.
During this transitional stage, the circular said, students would still be allowed to wear white shoes and socks.
Schools were also instructed not to force students to change to black shoes during this period.
Amin was quoted as saying that parents were generally in favour of the change to black shoes and socks as white ones got dirty easily.
On Oct 15, Maszlee said the colour of socks for students would be decided after discussions with stakeholders were completed, and that the ministry would issue a statement once a decision was reached.
Najib had previously criticised Maszlee for being preoccupied with the colour of school shoes and socks.
"Our Education Minister is foresighted. I don't understand why there are people who criticise him. The colour of shoes and socks are actually important in the development and formation of exemplary students," he sarcastically said in a Facebook post on Oct 15.
He had jokingly said it was "unfortunate" that the previous Barisan Nasional ministers did not do any such research.
"I hope the ministers will even do research on the colour of the clothes and school buildings as well.
"Insya-Allah, our children will receive its full benefits and will be successful in the future," he had said.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang had advised Maszlee to stop talking about socks and shoes to prevent himself from falling into Najib's trap of projecting Maszlee as a mediocre minister with limited vision and objectives.