Universiti Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel) director Redzuan Othman has been asked to resign from his position as the survey body's director.
 
Also his tenure as dean of the Arts and Social Science Faculty in the university, which expires today, was not renewed.

The unversity opted not to renew his position, citing his "retirement as professor" as the reason.
 
Former deputy higher education minister Saifuddin Abdullah (right) told Malaysiakini that he also resigned today as a senior research fellow in UM as a sign of protest over what had happened to Redzuan, whose research results did not often favour the ruling BN government.
 
"A couple of months back, the current vice-chancellor of UM was approached by some Education Ministry officers who advised that Redzuan should resign. He took it in stride," Saifuddin said.

Saifuddin said that he felt saddened at what had happened, and said resigning was the least he could do as he is no longer with the government.

“Unfortunately, I am not in a position to help, so I resigned as a sign of protest and to show my solidarity,” Saifuddin said.

The former Umno supreme council member and Temerloh MP, who is currently the CEO of the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM), said that his fellowship in UM was granted under the previous vice-chancellor and not the current one.

Prof Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin replaced Prof Ghauth Jasmon (left) as UM’s vice-chancellor late last year.

Redzuan and Umcedel shot to popularity when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak dismissed a survey finding just before the 2013 general election, which found that Pakatan Rakyat’s manifesto has greater traction than BN’s manifesto.

Meanwhile, Malaysiakini has contacted the office of  vice-chancellor Mohd Amin, who is in charge of the university's academic and international matters, and is awaiting for his reply.

A spokesperson from Mohd Amin's office said he was away from the campus for a meeting and could not respond at the moment.


Related stories

Minister doubts integrity of Umcedel polls

Union: Umcedel director removal is unacceptable

'Muhyiddin should resign, not Redzuan or Saifuddin'

Heed Sultan Nazrin, PKR tells Education Ministry