UM lecturer accused of sending nudes remains on campus, victim claims

Summary

• A student claims that UM has failed to enforce an interdiction order on a lecturer who allegedly sent nudes to her as he is still appearing on campus.

• The student provides explicit evidence but has not filed a police report due to fear of retaliation.

• She alleges that the university’s inaction reflects a larger pattern of neglect and a toxic environment for female students.

A Universiti Malaya (UM) student has expressed fear over a lecturer accused of sexual harassment allegedly still appearing on campus despite the university interdicting him.

The student, who only wants to be known as “Student A”, claimed that the lecturer sent explicit materials to her, including nude photos and videos, via WhatsApp.

She provided Malaysiakini with three videos and five photographs as evidence of the sexual harassment.

“The lecturer sent me inappropriate content on several occasions, including videos explicitly showing his private parts.

“One video was shared via WhatsApp as a one-time view, but his phone number is clearly visible at the beginning. I saved the evidence because this isn’t the first time he’s done this,” she said.

Despite UM’s disciplinary action under the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000, Student A said the lecturer had been spotted on campus.

“He still shows up on campus, making me question the effectiveness of this interdiction. Is this the university’s way of covering things up?” she asked.

Failure to take proper action

The allegations against the academic came to light on Dec 16 when the UM Feminist Club (UMFC) accused the university of failing to take proper action despite multiple reports of sexual harassment.

Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir subsequently ordered UM to investigate the matter.

The university later announced that the lecturer had been interdicted.

Asked whether she was the one who reached out to UMFC, Student A refused to divulge details.

“Whether or not I have reached out to UMFC doesn’t change the facts of the situation,” she said.

‘Not just my fight’

Despite having evidence, Student A said she had not lodged a police report as she was afraid of the possible negative outcomes and what it would do to her state of mind.

She also revealed that a senior had warned her about the lecturer’s behaviour, claiming that several students were similarly affected but that the issue was largely ignored once those individuals graduated.

Student A further alleged that, far from embodying integrity, the academic had fostered a toxic and hostile environment for female students.

“This is not just my fight. It’s a fight to ensure no other student has to endure this kind of abuse.

”Unfortunately, I’m convinced the university will not act fairly in this matter, given its history of inaction,” she lamented.

Malaysiakini has reached out to the lecturer and UM for a response.

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