Matnor and his short-lived posting

Aliran urges Education Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to clear the air regarding the planned removal of Datuk Matnor Daim from his present position as director-general of the Ministry of Education.

Najib owes it to the general public, in particular, teachers and students and Sarawakians, to provide a full explanation as to why a director-general has to leave his post under questionable circumstance, six months prior to his retirement.

In the name of transparency and democracy, the Minister must come forward with adequate and satisfactory clarification particularly to counter the numerous speculations in circulation regarding this issue.

One speculation has it that Matnor was being sidelined because he is a Sarawakian, thus insinuating a racist inclination on the part of the Minister.  Another suggests that Matnor is independent in his thinking, and therefore was perceived as an “obstacle” to his immediate boss.

Rumours such as these are bound to gain currency, if not credence, if Najib chooses not to give sufficient and credible explanation for his ministerial action.

It would be a great pity if an Education Ministry that is poised to project Malaysia as a centre of academic excellence is seen as being undemocratic, averse to independent thinking and lacking in openness.

Gan Kong Hwee
Executive Committee Member
18 April 1998