Malaysiakini columnist Dr Azly Rahman has been slapped with a legal notice by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) demanding for a public apology over the articles he has penned.

The notice, dated July 5, was issued by legal firm Azam Aziz & Co. The academic, who is currently based in the United States, has been given 14 days (from the date the notice was issued) to tender an apology or face legal action.

Azly, who was sacked from UUM in December 2004 for refusing to sign the Surat Akujanji (the loyalty pledge which binds civil servants), was accused of writing slanderous articles with the aim of tarnishing UUM's reputation.

The notice also alleged that Azly, via his articles, was inciting other UUM and public university lecturers to breach the disciplinary code (by not signing the pledge).

"We want you to tender a public apology to our client (UUM) and you are also reminded to immediately stop your slanderous writings in whatever websites and other mediums.

"If you refuse, or are negligent and ignore this notice, we have been given clear instructions by our client to file a legal suit against you, which will also include seeking an injunction to stop you from writing any slanderous articles.

"You will also be held responsible for whatever cost that may be incurred," read the notice, a copy of which was also sent to UUM vice-chancellor Nordin Kardi [See full legal notice] .

Academics nationwide have last week sent a petiton , signed by 40 top former and existing professors and other university lecturers, urging the government to revoke the Akujanji letter.

Educate, not aggravate

Responding to this, Azly said he will never sign the Akujanji in its present form and urged other academics not to do so as well.

"Many academics still have faith in our public universities. The public still have faith in them too. But we must remove the obstacles to intellectual progress - institutions, individuals, ideologies. We can do this collectively," he added in an email communique.

As for his writings, the academic, who is currently teaching in the US, said they were meant to educate, and not aggravate.

"Read closely and understand them. If you disagree, refute them rationally and publicly. I will be grateful if we could engage in such intellectual discussions. That's what a university is all about - sincere dialogue without fear or favour.

"Don't ask me to write a public apology for something I am not sure what it is about. Don't stop me from writing. Don't get an injunction against me. I am essentially an educator, not an agitator. I am merely telling my side of the story," he added.

Azly also said he has "tremendous respect" for the students, faculty and staff of UUM. "They are very dedicated, ethical and hardworking people."

"But I do not have any respect for the Machiavellis or the power abusers in universities - those who make decisions that are politically-motivated in their rise to fame and perhaps fortune.

"My wife (Dr Mutiara Mohamad) and I do not wish to pledge our allegiance to a vice-chancellor who is out to retard my career. I speak from experience, lots of personal experience on this matter. I did not wish to work under him," he added.

Mutiara was also sacked from UUM when she refused to sign the Akujanji .

Oppressive clauses

Azly said he works best with sincere and transformative leaders and wants to be able to get outside help if he feels that he has been unjustly treated.

"That's my right. That's anybody's right guaranteed by the Constitution. The Akujanji (especially the last two clauses) will not allow me to even do that. It states that I will have to obey orders however the vice-chancellor define these as.

"What if I disagree with orders that are politically motivated or ones that are antithetical to the philosophy of a university? I have a simple solution to resolve this issue - remove especially those two clauses. They are only suitable for totalitarian regimes that are evolving into fascist states," he stated.

Among others, the clauses in the Akujanji letter statesthat academic should not "disobey or behave in any way that can be interpreted as disobedience". [See Akujanji letter in full]

Azly said that he does not believe the present administration of UUM is "interested or capable" of helping academics revise and remove the last two oppressive clauses of the Akujanji .

"Maybe the academic union can help do it with the help of other groups. Or maybe a new leadership needs to be installed that will help even repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act," he noted.

Freedom needed

On the same note, the academic expressed his desire and hope to serve Malaysian universities and contribute to developing the young minds of the nation.

"With utmost sincerity, I want to serve UUM (and other Malaysian universities). I want to teach its undergraduate students, advise its doctoral students, and give lectures to the public on the importance of creative, critical, and futuristic thinking.

"I want them to become radical world wise thinkers that can speak up and speak with truth to power - without fear or favour. I want to teach especially Malaysian youths the proper and rational way to revolt against all forms of injustices - through radical but rational ways of thinking.

"We must continue to help the poor, the oppressed, the marginalised of all races speak up and design ways to make their lives more meaningful. This nation is heading towards ruins.

"UUM need not doubt my sincerity. If the present administration is doing that, perhaps it is getting bad advice from members of the old regime. This shouldn't be the case.

"And again, remove the oppressive clauses of the Akujanji for a start and tell students and faculty that they will now be allowed to speak without fear or favour and that the university is now a safe place for the development of intellectualism.

"No student groups should be hunted down for having different views of the future of our nation. No lecturers and members of the staff should be disciplined, demoted or dismissed for having dissenting views and having strong principles," he added.

UUM's letter to Azly Rahman

Sign this or else - the Akujanji letter

Azly's column in Malaysiakini - I want to serve...

Academics on mission to conquer fear