Ibrahim Ali award page taken off website

Details of the Ibrahim Ali Leadership Award have been taken down from the website of UiTM's Malay Intellectual and Leadership Institute (Impak), two days after it made headlines for its connection to the controversial politician.

A check byMalaysiakini at noon today found that the page no longer existed, following the public uproarcondemning the varsity for allegedly endorsing the award.

Instead, clicking on the Anugerah (Award) tab of the website directed the viewer to the following description; “IMPAK telah mendapat tajaan bagi memperkenalkan Anugerah Kepimpinan Bangsa yang bakal diberikan kepada pelajar yang telah membuktikan bakat dan potensi kepimpinan bangsa pada tempoh yang dinilai. Perincian Anugerah ini akan dimaklumkan kemudian.”

(IMPAK has received sponsorship to introduce the Race Leadership Award which will be awarded to students who have proven talent and potential in leading their race within the evaluation period. Details of the award will be disclosed at a later date.)

Impak's website initially carrieddetails of the award, which offers total cash prizes worth RM5,000 for students who are proven to have "clear and consistent" principles in upholding their race.

The website had also initially stated that nominations were opened since June 9, with the closing date set for this Sept 15. The awards were planned to be given to successful candidates during the varsity's October convocation.

UiTM vice-chancellor Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar has since spoken out to deny that the university had approved the award, stating that they had merely "overlooked" the issue after it was publicised on the website of one of its departments.

In a statement posted on his Facebookpage, Sahol said the varsity is "concerned" over the uproar surrounding the award and "will not accept the award" without approval from its senate and board of directors.

"With this explanation, I hope the issue will not be raised again," Sahol added.

[More to follow]