The Suarez bite at the University of Malaya
I knew it would happen. I am only amazed that it took so long.
Each time I read the results of surveys carried out by the University of Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel), I asked myself how come those wielding political power had not closed it down or acted against its director Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Redzuan Othman.
This was because many of the poll results were not “positive” for the ruling government or Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. You and I know that there are those in government who think the public should only hear the good news about the government or government agencies.
I was sure Redzuan would be hauled up or targeted when Umcedel released its poll findings during the run-up to the May 5 general election last year, especially the one which showed that 43 percent of respondents felt opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was qualified to be prime minister, ahead of Najib who had 39 percent.
According to the poll, 62 percent of the voters said they were not influenced by sex videos involving opposition leaders. That’s not all, 39 percent said they believed it to be Umno propaganda.
Sixty percent of respondents felt the Pakatan Rakyat election manifesto was better than that of the Barisan Nasional. Only 50 per cent favoured the BN manifesto.
Now, after a year, someone in power has acted. Mohamad Redzuan, apparently, has been asked to resign as director of Umcedel. In addition, his tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, which expired yesterday, was not renewed.
It would be interesting to find out from the political scientist whether he had been under pressure to tweak his survey results to show a positive picture of the government and Najib.
From reports, I gather that the academic staff, who elect deans, had voted for him to continue as dean but that the UM management did not endorse it.
In the wake of the decision by the UM management to relieve Redzuan of his positions, former deputy higher education minister Saifuddin Abdullah quit yesterday as a senior research fellow at UM.
He tweeted: "On the principle of academic freedom and solidarity, I resign as UM senior research fellow today. It is related to the case against Prof Redzuan."
Saifuddin was quoted by the local media as saying: "A couple of months back, the current vice-chancellor of UM was approached by some Education Ministry officers who advised that Redzuan should resign. He took it in stride.
"Unfortunately, I am not in a position to help, so I resigned as a sign of protest and to show my solidarity."
I salute your courage Mr Saifuddin. You are a shining example of a man of courage and integrity. I was one of those who felt sad when you lost re-election to Parliament and when you were not re-elected as a Supreme Council member in Umno.
And professor Redzuan, I salute your courage and integrity, too. It is unfortunate that there are not many like you in academia. Perhaps that is one reason Malaysian universities don’t do well in international rankings.
UM, in a statement, denied that Redzuan was removed following political pressure.
"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.
"After lengthy deliberations, the management decided to appoint (Professor Dr) Md Sidin (Ahmad ) as the new dean for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences," the statement added.
The appointment, UM said, took into account Redzuan’s expected retirement next year and that bringing in Md Sidin now would allow the latter an opportunity to familiarise himself with his new role.
What UM says reminds me of the recent protestations of Uruguayan World Cup 2014 football star Luis Suarez. He insists that he did not bite Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. He says he lost his balance and fell, his face hitting Chiellini and causing a bruise on the latter’s shoulder.
We all saw the incident and the numerous replays, didn’t we? Fifa found him guilty, didn’t it?
