‘MOVE TO END SERVICES OF CHAIRMEN, DIRECTORS UNFAIR’
Most of them are academicians who are not involved in politics, says Gakum president
THE Joint Councils of Presidents and Honorary Secretaries of the Malaysian Universities Staff Union (Gakum) has lambasted a move by the Education Ministry to terminate the services of the chairmen and board members of five public universities.
Its president Zulkifli Mohamad said the decision was unfair and made in haste.
The individuals, who comprised chairmen and members of their respective university board of directors, were academicians who were not involved in politics, he said.
Zulkifli said the decision caused worries among public universities’ staff, and this affected their daily operations and welfare.
“Most of them are academicians who are experts in their respective fields. They are not involved in politics.
“We have received complaints from all 20 public universities, which have expressed their worries, and they are uncomfortable in carrying out their duties now.
“We urge the Education Minister to review the decision and to temporarily stop the termination of contracts,” he said after chairing a Gakum special meeting in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) here yesterday.
Also present was its adviser and former Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services president Datuk Omar Osman.
A local news portal has reported that among those affected were Tun Zaki Azmi from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Tan Sri Sufri Mohd Zin from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Datuk Dr Kamaruddin Hussin from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Tan Sri Noorul Ainur Mohd Noor from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Tan Sri Anuwar Ali from UPM.
Their termination letters were issued on July 23 and signed by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.
Maszlee had said that the five chairmen were political appointees of the Barisan Nasional government, and their termination was done to ensure a smooth reform process of public education institutions by the government.
Zulkifli said the ministry needed to replace the five chairmen to ensure the smooth running of the varsities, adding that the decision should have been discussed with Gakum.
He also said Gakum was requesting a meeting with Maszlee soon to discuss issues, especially those affecting the organisation.
“We submitted a letter to the minister about a month ago, but have yet to receive any response.
“Gakum hopes the meeting could be held soon to allow us to seek clarification and views on certain matters,” he added.