Student group demonstrates to demand UM act against don who allegedly sent nudes
Demonstrators hold up signs against sexual harassment at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 20, 2024. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
Friday, 20 Dec 2024 1:37 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 — The Feminism Club of Universiti Malaysia demonstrated on the campus today to demand that administrators act decisively against a professor accused of sexual harassment.
Around 30 students and alumni members gathered outside UM’s Chancellery building around 10.50am amid heavy police police presence.
“Multiple students have also alleged harassment by the professor but the university has been slow to act, disregarding students rights.
“Similar incidents date back to 2020 with poor handling by the administration leading to media exposure. The university’s bureaucratic approach and ineffective anti-harassment policies have left some cases unresolved.
“We call for the immediate suspension of the professor so investigations can take place without interference and fear from repercussions,” said spokesman Yap Wen Jiun.
“We ask that the university investigate the matter fairly without faculty members trying to influence the situation by framing it as revenge and to improve campus safety policies, which are weak and have failed to protect students and hold offenders accountable,” she said.
Universiti Malaya Feminism Club president Chin Jes Weng speaks during a press conference at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 20, 2024. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
After giving their speeches, the demonstrators waited to hand over the memorandum to a university representative.
When none appeared after 15 minutes, the group started to chant slogans against the administrators.
An altercation occurred when one demonstrator warned the police not to make contact with the microphone or speakers, and was then surrounded by several policemen.
Soon after, the head of UM’s Integrity Unit Nur Syazwani Rosli met with demonstrators and accepted the memorandum.
On Wednesday, UM confirmed that it is investigating a case involving an academic who allegedly sent nude photographs to several students.
Students previously posted photographs identifying the professor to warn others. The Feminism Club said UM removed the photographs without explanation.
This is the second time the club has sent a memorandum over the matter, after one on March 29 this year.
Yap claimed that more such harassment went unreported at UM as students did not have faith that the authorities would take action.
Worse, she said students also feared they would face reprisals for coming forward about the harassment.
Police officers speak to attendees demonstrating against sexual harassment at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 20, 2024. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
To support this allegation, she pointed out that the professor accused of sending the nude photographs has since lodged a report against her club.
“Yes he made a report against us for defaming him,” Yap told the media today.
“To build a just society the university should pay more attention to gender equality. A safe campus is a basic human right that students and staff should enjoy,” she added.
Student group slams
ministry’s silence on UM
don harassment claim
UM Feminism Club and UM gender studies masters graduate spokesman S Indramalar present memorandum with a list of demands to the university’s integrity unit.
“The higher education ministry has remained silent (on the case) until now,” said UM Feminism Club (UMFC) president Chin Jes Weng at a press conference in front of the UM Chancellery Building here today.
Chin also hit out at certain UM student groups, which she claimed had mostly remained silent when the alleged victims needed support.
“This is contrary to their promises of combatting sexual harassment during the campus elections,” she said.
Chin and UM gender studies masters graduate spokesman S Indramalar presented a memorandum to UM’s integrity unit head, Nur Syazwani Rosli.
Their demands include an immediate suspension of the professor pending an investigation, for the allegations to be investigated thoroughly, and for reforms to UM’s sexual harassment policies.
The memorandum was supported by 27 representatives from NGOs like the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).
Also present at the press conference were UM Academic Staff Association executive council member Aznijar Ahmad Yazid.
On Dec 18, UM confirmed receiving a report on the allegations against the professor but declined to comment on the case as it had been referred to the authorities for investigation.
Indramalar claimed that this was not an isolated incident, saying a small-scale survey by UMFC found that one in five students at the university had experienced sexual harassment at UM.
According to the January 2024 survey sighted by FMT, 45 out of 200 respondents, or 22.5%, said they had experienced sexual harassment on campus.
Only five students, or 11.11% of the 45, took action by filing a report or submitted official complaints.
The survey also found that 83% or 166 respondents were not aware about the existence of the UM Code of Free From Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment, implemented in September 2021.
“The incident represents only a fraction of the many sexual harassment cases on campus, including numerous unreported cases driven by students’ fear and lack of confidence in UM’s commitment to address the issue effectively.
“The repetition of such experiences indicate the prevalence of sexual exploitation and they highlight a broader systemic issue that makes the campus an unsafe environment,” Indramalar said.
She said UM’s anti-sexual harassment code needs to be revamped to focus on protecting and empowering survivors instead of safeguarding the institution’s reputation.
“One of the main improvements must include expediting the timeline for the complaints and investigation process,” she said, adding that the review should involve staff representatives and student bodies.
Indramalar also called for the establishment of an independent sexual harassment office or ombudsman within the university to ensure impartiality in handling complaints.
She said regular independent audits should be conducted on how sexual harassment complaints are handled, with the results made publicly available to ensure accountability.
“Annual reports should be published, detailing the overall findings of the number of complaints received, the processes followed, and the outcome of investigations,” she said.
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