Education Minister Maszlee Malik has advised Universiti Malaya Student Union vice-president Yap Wen Qing to meet with the vice-chancellor (VC) to air his grievances.
He said Yap should do this instead of issuing press statements on UM vice-chancellor Abdul Rahim Hashim’s allegedly racist statements at Sunday’s Malay Dignity Congress.
The student union representative had claimed that Abdul Rahim said the change in government after GE14 had eliminated Malay political dominance and Malay privileges were being questioned.
Abdul Rahim is also alleged to have warned others not to challenge the social contract.
“That is his opinion and I would suggest he (Yap) meets the VC himself, rather than making a media statement.
“He should meet and voice out his dissatisfaction with the VC directly.
“I believe the VC is a very open-minded man. He can listen to his students,” Maszlee said.
He was speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today.
Asked whether he would also ask the vice-chancellor to meet with the students, Maszlee replied: “I’m asking the students to meet the VC.”
However, Maszlee gave his assurance that no action would be taken against students over this matter.
“We (the Pakatan Harapan government) are not the same as BN,” he quipped.
The student union representative had yesterday called on Abdul Rahim (photo) to resign over his alleged racist remarks.
At the same time, Yap claimed that the vice-chancellor had been unable to solve the financial crisis and the welfare of students, comprising all races and religious beliefs.
UM was also alleged to have forced every residential college to send Malay students to attend the congress.
The Malay Dignity Congress took place in Shah Alam on Oct 6 and was attended by more than 5,000 people, including Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and several Umno, PAS and Pakatan Harapan leaders.
Other prominent attendees at the congress included Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin and singer Siti Nurhaliza.
The event was organised by Universiti Malaya’s Malay Excellence Studies Centre, in collaboration with UiTM, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Sultan Idris Education University.
Many quarters, including DAP veteran and MP for Iskandar Puteri Lim Kit Siang and former higher education minister Khaled Nordin, have questioned the role of public universities in organising such an event.
Organiser Zainal Kling had said the congress was organised in response to certain quarters challenging Malay rights and privileges. - Mkini
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