MP: Redzuan's removal from Umcedel a step back
Published: Jul 1, 2014 2:20 PM | Updated: Jul 1, 2014 9:25 PM
The resignation of Universiti Malaya Centre for Election and Democracy (Umcedel) Redzuan Othman is a step back for Malaysia’s transformation efforts, said Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
Mujahid Yusof Rawa urges the Malaysian Professors Council to investigate.
The resignation of Universiti Malaya Centre for Election and Democracy (Umcedel) Redzuan Othman is a step back for Malaysia’s transformation efforts, said Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
“Universiti Malaya as a landmark in the academic world has received a humiliating blow from outsiders, which would place our oldest university at a low level and its academic future becomes darker,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He urged the Malaysian Professors Council to investigate the incident and make strong statements in defence of a free and innovative academia.
Meanwhile in a separate statement today, PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar (right) said the incident shows that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s promises of political transformation by giving more freedom of expression are mere lies.
“Not only that, the government cannot compromise with any criticism from opposition parties, but even the research findings of academicians who are non-partisan are not spared,” he lamented.
He said that academic works are open to criticism, and BN and Umno should respond to Redzuan through their own research instead if they disagree.
Yesterday, Reduzan was asked to resign from his post as the research centre’s director, and his tenure as the dean of Arts and Social Science Faculty in the university was allowed to expire on the same day without being renewed.
He is best known for a survey just prior to the 13th general election that found that Pakatan Rakyat’s manifesto had more traction amongst voters than BN’s manifesto.
Umcedel senior research fellow Saifuddin Abdullah had also resigned in protest, claiming that Education Ministry officials had advised the university’s vice-chancellor that Redzuan should resign.
The university however, has denied outside interference in the matter.
Gerakan vice-president Dominic Lau said the allegations of political interference in the matter are regrettable because the government had given Universiti Malaya and several other universities autonomy to manage their own affairs, including academic and administrative affairs.
“As a former lecturer, I must stress with concern that academic freedom is a fundamental necessity for the production and publication of true knowledge to the society. The government must show commitment towards upholding academic freedom.
“The academic independence of universities and affiliated institutions must be respected as it is important to improve the educational standards and rankings of our nation,” said Lau yesterday.
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“Universiti Malaya as a landmark in the academic world has received a humiliating blow from outsiders, which would place our oldest university at a low level and its academic future becomes darker,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He urged the Malaysian Professors Council to investigate the incident and make strong statements in defence of a free and innovative academia.
Meanwhile in a separate statement today, PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar (right) said the incident shows that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s promises of political transformation by giving more freedom of expression are mere lies.“Not only that, the government cannot compromise with any criticism from opposition parties, but even the research findings of academicians who are non-partisan are not spared,” he lamented.
He said that academic works are open to criticism, and BN and Umno should respond to Redzuan through their own research instead if they disagree.
Yesterday, Reduzan was asked to resign from his post as the research centre’s director, and his tenure as the dean of Arts and Social Science Faculty in the university was allowed to expire on the same day without being renewed.
He is best known for a survey just prior to the 13th general election that found that Pakatan Rakyat’s manifesto had more traction amongst voters than BN’s manifesto.
Umcedel senior research fellow Saifuddin Abdullah had also resigned in protest, claiming that Education Ministry officials had advised the university’s vice-chancellor that Redzuan should resign.
The university however, has denied outside interference in the matter.
Gerakan vice-president Dominic Lau said the allegations of political interference in the matter are regrettable because the government had given Universiti Malaya and several other universities autonomy to manage their own affairs, including academic and administrative affairs.
“As a former lecturer, I must stress with concern that academic freedom is a fundamental necessity for the production and publication of true knowledge to the society. The government must show commitment towards upholding academic freedom.
“The academic independence of universities and affiliated institutions must be respected as it is important to improve the educational standards and rankings of our nation,” said Lau yesterday.
Related stories
Umcedel findings 'no big deal', says KJ
VC: Redzuan's removal transparent, democratic
'My issue is Umcedel, not dean post'
Pre-Redzuan, a long list of interference
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