KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya has lodged a police report over the solo protest carried out by a student during its convocation ceremony on Monday.
In a statement issued today, the university said it wants the police to investigate the case, as the graduating student’s action was unacceptable and tarnished the university’s image.
The student created a stir during the ceremony when he carried a protest placard onto the stage to receive his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
Written on the placard was a demand for the resignation of the vice chancellor, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim, who was seated in the front row of the hall.
UM said the student’s protest during the morning session of the convocation was “rude” and condemned it by saying it disrespected the ceremony, and disrupted the protocol and smooth running of the event.
“It has also tarnished the good name of Universiti Malaya as a higher education institute, and also its graduates and staff,” it added.
It said that while UM always subscribes to the principles of freedom of speech, it also believes that there is a right and wrong time and place for certain statements to be made.
“It is the university’s responsibility to ensure its graduates are not only knowledgeable, but more importantly, become individuals who practice mutual respect and good social behaviour, and know their roles and responsibilities as a part of society in a nation with a Constitution.”
The student had allegedly explained on social media that he protested against Rahim because UM had been used to advance racist and political causes, as it was one of four universities which organised the Malay Dignity Congress in Shah Alam, recently.
It was reported that Rahim also spoke at the event.
The student added in his Facebook post that Rahim’s speech at the event had led other academics and students to question the academic validity of the demands Rahim had made.
The Malay Dignity Congress on Oct 6 was organised by UM, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara.
It was opened by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was also attended by Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Umno secretary general Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
On March 22 this year, the same student was involved in a fracas which erupted between Umno leader Datuk Lokman Noor Adam and his supporters, and student protestors outside a restaurant near UM.
Lokman and three others were eventually charged at the Petaling Jaya Magistrate Court with assaulting the same student.