UNIVERSITI Malaya is not withholding back the scroll and transcript of student protester Wong Yan Ke, nor has it revoked the graduate’s degree.

University board chairman Tengku Dr Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen Tengku Ibrahim said the civil engineering graduate may collect his transcript from the university any time.

“He can also access and print out his scroll on the university website from October 21,” Azzman said in a statement today.

This was the UM response to calls for Wong’s degree or transcript to be withheld following his solo protest during convocation on Monday.

Wong had flashed a placard demanding UM vice-chancellor Abdul Rahim Hashim’s resignation while on stage to receive his scroll, over the VC’s allegedly racist speech at the Malay Dignity Congress.

The university, which was one of the co-organisers of the controversial event, subsequently lodged a police report against Wong, accusing him of disrespecting protocol and disrupting proceedings.

Wong has denied the charges, saying he was making a stand against racism.

At the gathering for Malay dignity, Rahim allegedly said in his speech that the change of government after the general election had destroyed Malay political dominance that Malay privileges were now being questioned by the other communities.

He allegedly warned the non-Malay communities not to challenge the social contract they had with the Malays.

Azzman, meanwhile, defended UM’s part in the event, saying it was the university’s duty to educate and encourage discourse.

“The congress was an academic discussion to identify, discuss and propose resolutions for the many challenges faced by the Malays today,” he said.

However, he said UM would take more careful consideration of the impact on national interest the events it organised would have in future.

Azzman added that UM respected the freedom of expression of everyone connected to the university, including the students.

“However in practising this freedom, the rights of others too must be respected.

“The protest during the convocation ceremony was clearly disrespectful of the ceremony and protocol.

“The student’s behaviour also showed disrespect to his fellow graduates, parents and other guests.”

He said the university board regretted the incident and extended its apologies to the other graduates, parents and guests. – October 19, 2019.