An agent of the de-recognised Crimea State Medical University ( CSMU ) in Ukraine is incensed over Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek's remarks last week alleging an incident of rape and corruption at the university.

Taiping-based Ukranian Medical Education Sdn Bhd manager S Arumugam dismissed the claim as "utter rubbish".

"The whole world is now laughing at us for conducting the de-recognition is this manner," he said when contacted.

"Remarks that bring CSMU into disrepute have come without facts. Whoever had narrated the story of rape to the minister has not done a good job."

Noting the absence of details about the alleged crimes, he said the authorities, in this instance the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), had not investigated enough before making disparaging remarks about the university.

Arumugam also raised the possibility that the allegations could have been made by "frustrated individuals or out of grudge by students who had failed their exams and were later expelled".

His son Dr Subendran, the agent and company managing director, could not be reached for comment as he is currently in Ukraine.

Embassy wants details

Last Thursday, Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek told reporters in Parliament that the government would not entertain appeals from the CSMU due to its failure to respond to urgent queries from the MMC.

Besides questioning the quality of the graduates, he said reports of alleged rape and threats against reporting to the authorities were also factors in the decision to de-recognise CSMU.

Contacted today, Ukraine Embassy Counsellor Olexander Nechytaylo urged the Malaysian authorities to present the facts of the allegations immediately, given the gravity of the allegations.

"We request the Malaysian authorities to immediately present the facts and evidence of the 'corruption and rape' cases at CSMU so that the law enforcement agencies in Ukraine will be able to take appropriate action," he said.

"Rape carries one of the heaviest penalties in Ukraine. I don't think anyone would want to obstruct justice because hiding anything is certainly not in the interest of the university."

Adding that Ukraine had a special police unit for sexual crimes, he said the embassy was not aware of any such cases so far.

"However, it is difficult to keep track of issues relating to CSMU because what started off as questions on quality has moved on to criminal allegations. Every new turn is a surprise for us and we can't can hardly keep track of these developments."

Usual practice

Another agent was asked to comment on International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz's statement as Wanita Umno chief late last week that recruiting students was similar to migrant workers.

Shah Alam-based Aspirasi Sejati Sdn Bhd director V Nadarajah said that using agents to recruit students into local and foreign universities was "an old practice even in other countries".

To date, four agencies have been registered with the higher education ministry to recruit Malaysian students for CSMU.

Nadarajah, whose daughter is a CSMU undergraduate, said this was a common practice around the world.

"In fact, local universities are currently advertising for agents to recruit students for them."

He felt it was safer to go through agents due to the proliferation of bogus websites which have abused and misused the names of genuine universities.

"People have more trust in agents as we deal directly with the university concerned. When seeking enrolment, parents or prospective students may be misled if they go directly to the university after getting programme and registration details online.

"I was checking online for some foreign universities and found many such sites that duplicated genuine universities. Some came complete with online payment modes."

Students 'stigmatised'

Nadarajah, who has just returned from Ukraine, also said he had not heard of any incident of rape, as alleged.

"If something had happened, the students should go to the authorities, report to the police or contact our embassy for immediate action," he said.

"Right now, there are no facts to support the serious allegations being made here and our young students are already stigmatised. I know of some who started crying upon learning of the minister's remarks."

He said CSMU students are currently heading back to Malaysia for the summer break, during which time it will be compulsory for second-year students to complete 108 hours of practical training in any government hospital anywhere in the world.

"Just imagine what the other doctors will say to them. These students will face ridicule and walk around hospital wards with a stigma attached."

He also refuted allegations of security breaches or poor safety at the university.

"A police station and courthouse are located between the university hostel and campus, and students have to pass these every day. I don't see why there should be questions about safety.

"If it's about petty thefts, that is a common occurrence anywhere in the world. In fact, we ourselves have a high record of snatch thefts."

Another of the agents refused to be immediately quoted on CSMU-related issues, saying "It's not good for me to comment without reading the articles".

"I've been abroad for the last few weeks, so, I would like to reserve my comments on this," he added.