UMS denies expelling ‘vocal’ students

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KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has never prevented its students from practising their freedom of speech, including to voice out opinions on any issues or dissatisfaction against the university’s administration.

Vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah yesterday rejected a report by a local daily claiming that some 100 students had been expelled for being too vocal on certain issues.

Harun said the report, which quoted an anonymous university officer, was utterly wrong and could be made by individuals harbouring ill feelings and wanted to sabotage UMS’ good reputation.

“The university has always been open in listening to any grouses or complaints from the students. In fact, we also encourage them to have debate and public talks, which would benefit the development of their soft skills,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He added any issues brought up by the students would be discussed through the available platforms and even those who had breached the ethical conduct of the university would not be simply expelled without fair trial by UMS Legal and Disciplinary Division.

“I very much regret the statement allegedly made by UMS’ own officer. The statement was out of place and I would be very embarrassed if the so-called officer, who reportedly did not want his identity revealed, is indeed a staff or officer of UMS.

Harun admitted that there could be students from UMS who had been referred to the disciplinary board after committing offences under the University and University Colleges Act, but they were never expelled from the university.

“The punishment is in the form of suspension from taking classes or from the hostels, not expelled. And we only punish in accordance with regulations and procedures, after they are proven guilty as charged. The decision is also not final as we give the students options to appeal their cases,” he said, adding that the suspension was more to educate rather than to simply punish the students involved.

He also informed that UMS would investigate to determine the individuals behind the allegations.