Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor Prof Dr Hashim Yaacob today claimed to be in the dark over the allegations of mark tampering and favouritism in the country's oldest tertiary institution.

"I do not know of his allegations," he said when asked to comment on the claims made by the university's economics lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Edmund Terence Gomez.

"You must be very careful when you say things which are not true," added the vice chancellor, who was appointed in 2003, when met at the university this afternoon.

While urging those with such grouses to refer the matter to the Anti-Corruption Agency, he also welcomed the university's staff to come forward and discuss such issues with him.

"We should not confront and quarrel, but discuss every problem that we face. As in his (Gomez) case, he already got what he wanted. I want to close the case," he said.

In a recent interview with malaysiakini , Gomez had alleged favouritism in academic promotions, tampering of students marks and the monitoring of internal e-mails.

Government decides, we follow

The economist had a run-in with the vice-chancellor when the university rejected his application for secondment to take up a research appointment with an United Nations agency in Geneva.

This forced Gomez to tender his resignation which led to the public, opposition leaders and fellow academics demanding that the university reconsider its decision.

Last Friday, the government intervened and approved his two-year unpaid leave as well as revoking his resignation.

Gomez, who left for Geneva on Tuesday, also met with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who encouraged him to continue speaking out.

Meanwhile, Hashim, when asked to comment on the government overruling the university hence raising questions about its autonomy, said:

"No, our (UM management) decision was not overruled. The decision, made by the ministry (of higher education), is also our decision. We are people faithful to the government and the king. So we abide.

"Whatever the ministry's decision, it is a right decision. The nation comes first."

Asked if he had made a wrong judgment in this case, he replied: "I've answered enough (about the Gomez's issue). As far as we concerned, all has been settled. As a Malaysian, I wish him (Gomez) all the best."

Earlier, Hashim spoke at the university's 100 years heritage anniversary ceremony.

He said UM's excellence has been recognised, leading it to be ranked 89th in the Times Higher Education Supplement of London last November.

Also present at the ceremony today were UM chancellor Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah Ghafarullahu-lah, pro-chancellor Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib Abdul Razak, and Higher Education Minister Shafie Mohd Salleh.