Teo: Not right to withhold Wong's degree scroll

KUALA LUMPUR: It is not right to withhold student activist Wong Yan Ke's degree scroll, says Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching (pic).

However, she added that this was her personal opinion.

On Wednesday (Oct 16), Universiti Malaya (UM) civil engineering graduate, Wong said the university refused to release his degree scroll when he went to return his graduation robe and collect it.

Wong is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code after a police report was lodged by the varsity against Wong who shouted,"Ini Tanah Malaysia" while carrying a placard with the words "Tolak Rasis" (reject racism) and "Undur VC" (step down VC) on stage during the degree scroll ceremony on Monday (Oct 14).

Section 504 deals with intentionally insulting and provoking a person, knowing that it can disrupt public peace.

Teo said to solve the issue amicably, both sides (the university and student) must engage.

"We are in the process of doing that."

Commenting on DAP Youth's call for UM vice-chancellor to resign, she said everyone was free to voice their opinion.

Teo was speaking to reporters after the launching of the “Back-to-School” programme at SK Klang Gate on Friday (Oct 18).