Sunday, November 3, 2019

A World Class University Needs a World Class Vice Chancellor

Agora Society strongly condemn the cowardice act perpetrated by University Malaya (UM) for lodging a police report against student activist Wong Yan Ke. The police report was made in light of a solo protest by Yan Ke calling for the resignation of the varsity’s vice-chancellor, Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim. A protest of such nature certainly does not merit a police report, but it would only serve to jeopardize whatever goodwill or reputation that UM still had left. Agora Society is gravely disappointed that the once great education institution had since resorted to the police to help investigate its own student for expressing his views about the vice-chancellor. It is to our view that UM, as being the most prominent university in Malaysia, does not deserve to be associated with values such as open-mindedness and professionalism which are ironically on full display in their official website.

According to news report, UM has cited Yan Ke’s one-man protest has disrespected the protocol and running of the ceremony. But video evidence has suggested that Yan Ke’s action did not disrupt the ceremony but merely startled a part of the crowd. And as opposed to what UM has alleged, the ceremony at that day ended peacefully and grievances were only shown after the ceremony and among certain sections of the crowd. This does not in any way disrupt the flow of the event that day. Therefore, Yan Ke did not in any way disrespect the ceremony, but it has inadvertently ruffled a few feathers of those powers-to-be in UM. If UM is unable to tolerate criticism and dissent from a lonesome student, then it is debatable that UM could truly live up to its ideals of being an internationally renowned institution of higher learning in research, innovation, publication and teaching.

Agora Society also strongly disagree with the fact that Yan Ke’s action has tarnished the reputation of UM as alleged by the latter. Yan Ke’s defence for a more tolerant UM and Malaysia should be applauded instead and a reputable University should instead defend any student with progressive stance like Yan Ke. The only move we have seen that is tarnishing the UM’s reputation currently is the police report made against a recalcitrant student and defending a purportedly racist Vice Chancellor.

Furthermore, UM has since followed up its police reports by barring another fellow student and associate of Yan Ke, Edan Kon Hua En from attending his convocation ceremony for fear of disrupting public order. Edan has promised that he would not be protesting or displaying placard but to no avail. Agora Society question the need for such harsh actions for denying a student his finest moment in University when he himself has promised there would be no protest during the ceremony. Subsequently, Yan Ke is also worried that he might not be receiving his transcript for openly defying the Vice Chancellor. Given that UM’s recent attitude towards dissent and Yan Ke’s transcript has been mysteriously smudged and experiencing printing difficulties in publication, the graduate’s worry is not unfounded and Agora Society want to remind UM not to engage in personal and petty revenge for denying a fellow young graduate’s four years of achievement.

The PH government’s response has been equally damning as they were calling for academic freedom and a more tolerant Malaysia during the last general election, yet they were nowhere to be seen in this whole incident. It is also disappointing that the police have since taken action by summoning Yan Ke for further investigation.

It is undisputedly clear that what Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim has uttered recently is not befitting in the so called ‘New Malaysia’ and his views should be rebuked and challenged. Criticism against UM and the call for the resignation of the Vice Chancellor stemming from civil society and public has since risen and Agora Society are unequivocally supportive of it. We also wish to send solidarity to all the students who harbour the same view as Yan Ke. Lastly, we remind UM that university is a place embraces diverse and though-provoking ideologies and debate them professionally and rationally. Leaderships dictating how an institution will go, university not excluded. Thus, we urge UM to withdraw its unnecessary police report if it still harbours any intention of defending academic freedom and the reputation of UM.

Agora Society Malaysia
17.10.2019


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