KUALA LUMPUR: The Universiti Malaya (UM) lecturer alleged to have shared sexually explicit messages has been suspended.
The university said the action was taken in accordance with the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000.
“UM will continue to ensure that its campus environment is safe and conducive, including taking strict action against any party who commits misconduct, regardless of position or status,” it said in a statement, according to Bernama.
Last Saturday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir ordered UM to conduct an immediate investigation into two allegations of sexual harassment that tarnished the university’s reputation.
Zambry said the order was also issued so that UM would not take the case lightly, to ensure that the case truly received justice.
He added that the ministry had no tolerance for misconduct that was against the country’s laws.
Previously, the UM Feminism Club alleged in a statement that a professor had sexually harassed his students by sending inappropriate pictures of himself.
The statement added that while reports had been lodged against the lecturer, no action was taken.
Later, in a separate statement, UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman stressed the university’s commitment to handling the case swiftly, regardless of the individual’s position or status.
