The Education Ministry has set up an Academic Integrity Committee in response to a report on attempts to cover up a sexual harassment claim at the National Defence University (UPNM).

In a statement, the ministry said the new committee was part of its integrity unit and would serve to investigate similar cases in the future.

The ministry also said that although the university’s management had carried out an investigation, it would conduct an independent probe through the appointed committee.

On Aug 10, Malaysiakini reported that a female lecturer had lodged several police reports against a deputy dean at UPNM for sexual harassment.

The complainant told the police that the deputy dean had sent her "threatening and obscene" text messages but no action was taken.

Malaysiakini had contacted the said deputy dean who refuted the complainant's version of events, including claims that the vice-chancellor at the time told the complainant to withdraw the police report.

The police told Malaysiakini that the complaints were investigated but the case was eventually closed.