Patriot wants probe into UPNM sexual harassment, plagiarism case
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Patriots Association (Patriot) has urged the defence and education ministers to investigate and take swift action on a sexual harassment case involving a female lecturer, as well as a plagiarism case of a student, which allegedly took place in National Defence University (UPNM).
Its president, Brigadier General (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji, said Patriot viewed the cases seriously as they allegedly involved senior university officials and cover-ups.
“UPNM is the pride of the armed forces. Standards, discipline and quality of education cannot be compromised.
“Those appointed to be lecturers, including those seconded from the military, have to be qualified.
“There must not be any substandard teaching and marking of assignment and exam papers.
“Plagiarism among students, as well as among academics, must be viewed as a taboo.
“The culture of bodek (currying favour) among the academics and staff of the university must stop,” he said yesterday.
Arshad stressed the importance of appointing people with calibre and integrity to positions, such as vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellors and deans, to stop the rot.
“It is only through appointing someone capable to head the university and other key positions that the rot can be stop.
“Incapable and unqualified persons holding top university positions will breed mediocrity and perpetuate the disease.”
He said action must be taken against those responsible, irrespective of rank or position.
“The Pakatan Harapan government must set a high standard of discipline, professionalism, and adopt a no-nonsense attitude towards substandard teaching and education.
“Starting with UPNM, a clear message to stop the rot must be sent to show that the government is serious (on the matter).”
Yesterday, a portal reported that a UPNM student was caught plagiarising, but had been allowed by campus authorities to graduate.
According to the report, after being caught for plagiarising her final paper, the student had been allowed a two-week grace period to fix her work before resubmitting it to the marking panel.
During the grace period, however, a new marking panel was set up by the campus administration and it graded the student an “A-” for the same paper she was caught plagiarising.
On the alleged sexual harassment case, a female lecturer said she had in June 2014 been sexually harassed by a man, who was then a UPNM deputy dean.
It was reported that Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said he had instructed UPNM to furnish a report on the incident.