Monash University M'sia to cooperate in sexual abuse probe against lecturer
Monash University Malaysia said it will cooperate with the investigation against one of its lecturers who was arrested earlier this month for allegedly molesting a trainee doctor.
The lecturer, who is also a prominent activist, has been released on bail while police have taken statements from six individuals on the incident, which allegedly took place in a hospital in Kuala Lumpur, on Nov 4, 2019...
Monash University Malaysia said it will cooperate with the investigation against one of its lecturers who was arrested earlier this month for allegedly molesting a trainee doctor.
The lecturer, who is also a prominent activist, has been released on bail while police have taken statements from six individuals on the incident, which allegedly took place in a hospital in Kuala Lumpur, on Nov 4, 2019.
“We are committed to working together with the relevant authorities to get to the bottom of this matter,” the university said when contacted.
Asked if the lecturer is still teaching at the university, Monash declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
However, it said, it is committed to ensuring a safe working and studying environment that is “free from any unacceptable behaviour, including all forms of sexual harassment”.
“We ensure that every individual within the university community is treated with dignity, courtesy and respect,” it said.
According to Monash’s website, the accused is a senior lecturer and has been with the university for close to two decades.
Complainant: Academician kissed and groped me
Kuala Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim said the academician is being investigated under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which covers assault or use of criminal force on a person with the intent to outrage modesty.
This is punishable with up to 10 years in prison, a fine, or whipping.
The academician was also head of an Islamic think tank well-known for its “progressive” stance.
The trainee doctor, 27, was also a member of the think tank when the alleged molestation occurred.
The trainee doctor alleged the lecturer “kissed and groped” him on Nov 4, during his first day at work. The incident purportedly took place at the academician’s office at a hospital where he is a researcher.
The complainant said he emailed the lecturer on Nov 12, demanding an apology and his resignation from the think tank.
He lodged a police report on Feb 17. He told Malaysiakini it took him several months before he could work up the nerve, given the academician’s influence in his field.
Since the police report was filed, other individuals have also come forward to allege that the lecturer sexually abused them.
When contacted, the academician denied the allegations as malicious and said one of his accusers had an axe to grind against him following a legal suit between them.
Earlier this month, members of the same Islamic think tank took to social media to distance themselves from the organisation, citing loss of faith in the lecturer.
Malaysiakini is withholding the name of the activist as the case has not been brought to court, and to protect the identities of the complainants.
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