THE Education Ministry is taking up the role of peacemaker to solve the row between Universiti Malaya and a student activist seeking the vice-chancellor’s removal.
Deputy Education Minister Teo Neo Ching said the ministry was arranging a meeting between UM and the student to solve the problem.
She added it was important to deal with the matter in a professional manner without getting emotional.
“We are in the process of engaging both parties to solve this problem. In my opinion, we have to engage them, not enrage them,” she said after an event in Gombak this morning.
“We are in the process of talking to them now. So, please wait for our official statement,” she added.
On Monday, civil engineering graduate Wong Yan Ke, 23, flashed a placard demanding UM vice-chancellor Abdul Rahim Hashim’s resignation when receiving his scroll at his convocation ceremony.
The university later lodged a police report against Wong, who said he was making a stand against racism.
UM accused Wong of not showing respect for the convocation and disrupting protocol, charges he has denied.
At the recent Malay Dignity Congress, Rahim had allegedly said the change in government after the 14th general election had eliminated Malay political dominance and asserted that Malay privileges were being questioned.
Rahim was also alleged to have warned others not to challenge the social contract.
The police took Wong’s statement earlier this week and are investigating him under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult to break the public peace.
Student groups and UM’s academic staff union have called on the university to withdraw its police report against Wong.
On Tuesday, UM prevented a student from participating in the convocation ceremony after it found the graduate was trying to incite others to join the call for the vice-chancellor to resign.
Teo, however, said she disagreed with calls by some parties for UM to withdraw Wong’s degree.
“Personally, I disagree with this,” she said.
She said her ministry was also awaiting a report from UM on claims that its website had been hacked yesterday. – October 18, 2019.
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Comments
Posted 6 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply
Just instruct the university to release Wong's transcripts, withdraw the police report!
Terminate the racist VC appointment as hes no longer fit to lead the university!
Posted 6 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by A Subscriber · Reply
Pecat lah VC, that's the right thing to do, in conformance with the directions for a new Malaysia.
Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Jeffrey Ng · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Ty Tiko · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply
Don't police have more urgent to attend to?
Posted 6 years ago by K.C. BOEY · Reply
Don't police have more urgent to attend to?
Posted 6 years ago by K.C. BOEY · Reply