Institutionalised discrimination and dubious claims of meritocracy are quick becoming open secrets in our local medical schools. I'd like to bring to the attention of Malaysians a less highlighted revelation of the happenings in one local university - the prevailing culture of sexual harassment.

A medical student once confided in me complaining of sexual harassment by four male lecturers. She had no reason to lie and certainly had no personal gain from accusing her own teachers. One among the four she specifically named held the position of deputy dean. He reportedly demanded sexual favours in return for questions to the final exams. Another is a senior professor known publicly as a religious man and pious husband. He too, allegedly demanded sexual favours in return for personal guidance and tutorials in preparation for the clinical exams.

Another student approached me complaining that a junior lecturer was requesting her phone number under the pretext of an upcoming interview of sorts. What followed thereafter though, were frequent phone calls seeking movie dates, casual drinks and yes, sex.

A third student sought medical advice from a clinical lecturer but was told that he prefers to dispense professional advice to students only after office hours. She was asked to leave a contact number. Soon, endless SMS messages and late night calls from the lecturer drove her to the extent of her changing her number altogether.

In addition, some lecturers are openly dating their students. A senior professor in his late 50s has even married a student half his age. This in itself is improper for a few reasons. For one, it would have been difficult for the student to reject the advances of a teacher for fear of being penalised in the more subjective clinical exams. There is therefore, no means of proving that the relationship was mutual when one party is in a position of power over the other. Secondly, it places the lecturer in a position with a conflict of interests. His evaluation and assessment of the student can never be regarded as fair and objective when the candidate is none other than the object of his affection.

It baffles me how medical lecturers supposedly in a noble profession, can stoop so low as to take advantage of young girls put under their charge for the five years of medical education. Claims of sexual harassment are even more perturbing as they transcend the hierarchy or the organisation, implicating young, rising lecturers as well as senior clinicians much respected in their respective fields.

I personally doubt that these claims are isolated incidents. Like rape cases, probably many more students have kept quiet fearing they would be penalised in the more subjective clinical exams.

The purpose of this article is not to smear. It is to alert the government that much abuse of power is taking place in the corridors of our universities. A proper and thorough inquiry should at least be held to investigate these claims and bring the culprits to justice.

It is the least the BN government could do for the students it fervently claims to 'protect' under the Universities and University Colleges Act.