JEDDAH: The Twitter account of Ahmad Al-Issa, the new minister of education, raised a storm among followers within hours of the formal announcement of his taking over the ministry, a local publication reported.

A number of tweeters expressed surprise over the new minister having no Twitter account, while others said the minister actually had an account before he was appointed minister, and that the account contains several important tweets they need to read to know his thoughts and attitudes. Some said the absence of an account raises many questions and suspicions.

Spokesman for the Education Ministry Mubarak Al-Osaimi tweeted on his Twitter account that what has been circulating on Twitter in the name of Minister of Education Ahmed Al-Issa was not true and that the minister had no Twitter account.

The new education minister reportedly opened his Twitter account on Saturday by extending his thanks to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for his trust by appointing him as the Minister of Education.

On his part, the former education minister, Azzam Al-Dakhil, congratulated the new minister asserting that the ministry will make further progress under his leadership. Al-Issa responded by thanking Al-Dakhil, asserting that he is a role model for him.

A number of users on Twitter expressed sadness over the departure of Al-Dakhil, emphasizing that his tenure was marked by decisions taken in the best interest of the educational process, citing his achievements and decisions which they described as "pivotal in changing the educational process and giving incentives to employees."

Tweeters also circulated links to the book of the new minister, "Reforming Education," demanding that he apply it in a way that better serves the educational process and the Kingdom. Others circulated a television interview with the new minister in which he described important files that touch on the needs of teachers and the educational field.