The “secretive” replacement of Universiti Malaya’s vice-chancellor (VC) Ghauth Jasmon has raised doubts about the appointment process.

Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) said this is especially because the Education Ministry chose not to renew Gauth's contract just as his efforts were about to bear fruit.

As such, it said in a statement, the section in the Universities and University Colleges Act which gives the ministry power to appoint VCs should be abolished.

It should be replaced by a system employed by top universities, where VCs are chosen by a council of academics and student representatives, it said.

“Umany questions the selection of the (new) vice-chancellor as it was done secretly.

NONE“UM went through a series of improvement under the leadership of Ghauth (left) ... however, when the results of his hard work were about to be revealed, the Education Ministry suddenly released a statement to say that (his contract) would not be continued and a new person would be hired ...

“The reason for this decision has been hidden ... What's worse, this decision was made without considering the students' perspective, and the students learnt about it through the media.”

Lauding Ghauth as a VC who had engaged the student council and was attentive to issues like university rankings, Umany said the selection of VCs through “political favouritism” is “ridiculous”.

It added that this will have an impact on academic freedom - including the freedom to pursue research which may be deemed critical of the government - thereby turning universities into “brainwashing” institutes.

Last week it was announced that Mohd Amin Jalaudin will take over as VC at Malaysia's oldest university with effect from Nov 8, upon expiry of Ghauth's contract.