Those who do not accept the academic research outcome due to their own political stands are only “fooling themselves”, MCA Youth said.

Without mentioning names, MCA Youth national chairperson senator Chong Sin Woon (below) said that any attempt of interference on academic freedom is “regrettable”. 

“Those who deny objective facts because of their own political stands - for instance, unable to accept the research outcome of the Universiti Malaya Centre of Democracy and Elections (Umcedel) - are actually fooling themselves and this would not bring any good to them,” he said in a statement today.

He was referring to the former UM vice-chancellor Ghauth Jasmon's complaint of alleged harassment by a “well-placed” politician last year, claiming that BN was unhappy with the research centre's findings.

Ghauth told The Malaysian Insider that he was scolded by a senior politician for not controlling former Umcedel director Redzuan Othman and warned that his job as the vice-chancellor is not secure.

Among others, Umcedel’s surveys found that the prime minister was trailing behind opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in the run-up to the 13 th  general election last year. 

Meanwhile, Chong also urged that freedom and autonomy in academic research be respected in order to groom scholars with independent thinkers and innovators.

“Public varsities in the country including Universiti Malaya should be allowed to be independent and to enjoy their academic research freedom.

“Only research outcomes which are objective and impartial carry academic values,” he said.

Redzuan (right) was pressured to resign as Umcedel chief last month, while Gauth was replaced as vice-chancellor late last year.