The Malaysian Insider04 July 2014 Issue No:327
University
Malaya (UM) today denied allegations that its dean for the Faculty of
Arts and Social Sciences was removed due to political interference.
Professor Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman's tenure was not extended after a transparent election process, the university said in a statement this evening.
"Contrary to news reports, the decision not to extend Redzuan's tenure was based on a democratic and transparent election process which was carried out in accordance with the University of Malaya Constitution 2010.
"The constitution states that the vice-chancellor shall appoint a dean/director from three shortlisted candidates who received the highest scores.
"The elections were held between June 10 and 12 and interviews were held with the three candidates between June 17 and 20," UM said in the statement.
Redzuan was one of the three candidates shortlisted, the other two being Professor Dr Md Sidin Ahmad and Professor Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah.
"After lengthy deliberations, the management decided to appoint Md Sidin as the new dean for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences," UM said, adding that it took into account Redzuan's expected retirement next year and the opportunity for Md Sidin to familiarise himself with his new role.
"UM stresses that this election exercise is a normal process to decide the dean for the upcoming term after their tenure expires on June 30."
There has been a lot of criticism directed at UM and the Education Ministry following allegations that Putrajaya had pressured Redzuan into resigning. Redzuan had resigned as the director of UM's Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMcedel), a move for which many blamed Putrajaya.
Putrajaya was allegedly unhappy with Redzuan's work, which appeared to favour Pakatan Rakyat over Barisan Nasional. In reporting the removal this morning, The Malaysian Insider said that it was believed that Redzuan’s work in UMcedel has sealed his fate at the university.
It was reported that over the last few years, UMcedel had irked Putrajaya with its various survey findings showing the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) in a bad light.
The Malaysian Insider learnt that Putrajaya was also unhappy with Redzuan for purportedly being opposition-friendly, although he had on many occasions explained it by saying, "where would I be without politicians".
Following the news of his removal, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, former deputy higher education minister, announced that he was quitting as senior research fellow at UM’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in solidarity with Redzuan.
Professor Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman's tenure was not extended after a transparent election process, the university said in a statement this evening.
"Contrary to news reports, the decision not to extend Redzuan's tenure was based on a democratic and transparent election process which was carried out in accordance with the University of Malaya Constitution 2010.
"The constitution states that the vice-chancellor shall appoint a dean/director from three shortlisted candidates who received the highest scores.
"The elections were held between June 10 and 12 and interviews were held with the three candidates between June 17 and 20," UM said in the statement.
Redzuan was one of the three candidates shortlisted, the other two being Professor Dr Md Sidin Ahmad and Professor Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah.
"After lengthy deliberations, the management decided to appoint Md Sidin as the new dean for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences," UM said, adding that it took into account Redzuan's expected retirement next year and the opportunity for Md Sidin to familiarise himself with his new role.
"UM stresses that this election exercise is a normal process to decide the dean for the upcoming term after their tenure expires on June 30."
There has been a lot of criticism directed at UM and the Education Ministry following allegations that Putrajaya had pressured Redzuan into resigning. Redzuan had resigned as the director of UM's Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMcedel), a move for which many blamed Putrajaya.
Putrajaya was allegedly unhappy with Redzuan's work, which appeared to favour Pakatan Rakyat over Barisan Nasional. In reporting the removal this morning, The Malaysian Insider said that it was believed that Redzuan’s work in UMcedel has sealed his fate at the university.
It was reported that over the last few years, UMcedel had irked Putrajaya with its various survey findings showing the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) in a bad light.
The Malaysian Insider learnt that Putrajaya was also unhappy with Redzuan for purportedly being opposition-friendly, although he had on many occasions explained it by saying, "where would I be without politicians".
Following the news of his removal, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, former deputy higher education minister, announced that he was quitting as senior research fellow at UM’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in solidarity with Redzuan.
