Axed Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) lecturer Prof P Ramasamy today rebutted the comments made by the university in relation to the termination of his contract.

The academic asked whether the university had thoroughly examined his case in terms of academic work, publications and research projects, before making the decision.

He said for the last academic year alone, he had authored a book and several articles.

Yesterday, UKM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Salleh Mohd Yasin said Ramasamy's contract was terminated after considering his overall academic and performance aspects.

He stressed that the extension of contracts was a privilege and not a right.

He also dismissed Ramasamy's allegation of being victimised for being outspoken and critical of the government and its policies.

The academic was given a one-month notice by the UKM management in a letter dated July 27 and the termination will take effect on Aug 27.

Ramasamy urged UKM 'not to hide behind the facade of renewing contracts'.

Yesterday, the university's social sciences and humanities faculty dean Prof Dr Mohamed Yusoff Ismail said that the recommendation from the department head is also required for extension of contracts.

Heads not consulted

However, Ramasamy said: "I would like to point out that the chairperson of the centre for history, political science and strategic studies (Prof Dr Nik Anuar Nik Mahmud) and the programme head of political science (Assoc Prof) Ghazali Mayudin were never consulted about my termination."

"While I completely disagree with the unjust and undemocratic decision of UKM, I am saddened that I will have to leave without fulfilling my responsibility towards my students," he added.

The academic explained there are currently 22 masters students, 12 PhD students and three undergraduates under his supervision.

Ramasamy, who has been with the university for more than two decades, also asked if factors such as ethnicity, religion and physical attributes influenced decisions concerning contracts.

"It would be a good idea that UKM publicises these before others are terminated as well," he added.

Ramasamy also said that he would explain to the UKM Academic Staff Association on his off-campus activities which is rumoured to have contributed to his contract termination.

"Since (the association's president Prof Dr) Kamaruddin (Mohd Said) has asked for my explanation, I will oblige him soon," he added.

Little respect

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya economics lecturer Prof Dr Edmund Terence Gomez said Ramasamy's contract was abruptly terminated because of "his recent vocal criticism of government policies and practices."

"His recent comment that university leaders, including vice-chancellors, should not be appointed by the executive but be chosen by an independent body was probably not welcomed by UKM's senior administrators," he said in an e-mail communique.

According to Gomez, who is now leading a research project for the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development in Geneva, said Ramasamy's dismissal reinforced the point that there is no place for vocal critics in local universities.

"His dismissal also reveals that UKM's management has little respect for senior academics, nor do they recognise and appreciate the enormous contributions that he made to this institution," he added.

He said UKM's move to terminate Ramasamy's contract "has only embarrassed the institution and portrayed Malaysia in a poor light among academics worldwide."

Gomez also stated that government policies on the appointment of senior university management should be blamed for matters such cases.

He urged the government to conduct an open debate of reforms for local universities.

Gomez was recently embroiled in a run-in with UM when the university refused to approve his two-year leave to take up the UN appointment.