KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has hit out at Education Minister Maszlee Malik over the announcement that 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal will be included in the history syllabus for students nationwide.
In a twitter posting of Maszlee’s latest plan, the former prime minister said:
“There is a time and place for politics, and it is not in the schools.
"I think it will not be long before Maszlee himself enters into the history books.
"Do not use our children, don’t destroy their future.”
Earlier today, Maszlee said in Parliament that the inclusion of the 1MDB scandal in history books is important, as it will help instil awareness and educate youth on the dangers of “crimes” of corruption committed by previous leaders.
The alleged money-laundering scandal – which is being investigated in six countries – is regarded as the biggest financial scandal in world history.
“I can assure you that the 1MDB scandal will be included in our history lessons so that no one will repeat it in the future,” Maszlee said during a question-and-answer session, in response to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian).
However, Maszlee’s announcement has since garnered widespread condemnation among netizens.
Most of those who responded chided Maszlee for dragging politics into the education system.
A netizen, Prasad Menon commented: :Dear YB, focus on the education system..which really needs to be reviewed and rectified as soon as possible. Leave unresolved political issues out of it.”
Another comment on the NST Online Facebook page posted by Gentaj Che Din read: “Glancing at the feedback here I must say the country has an education minister that needs to be thoroughly educated before holding the said post, otherwise he'll keep producing cannon fodder even for Year-6 pupils to gorge on.”
However, among those who supported the plan said it would be a good idea for students to be taught how corrupt previous leaders were.
Alex Thein posted: “This will be the best education history in Malaysia. For future children will see how corupt is our previous government. This soon will change the world.”