Prioritise harassment case over presser probe, UM and police told

Summary

• UM Feminism Club (UMFC) president Chin Jes Weng condemns police investigations into a press conference highlighting alleged sexual harassment by a Universiti Malaya professor, calling it an act of intimidation against activists and students.

• Chin urges university to ensure transparency, impartiality, and urgency in handling the case while reiterating the demand to suspend the professor until the investigation concludes.

UM Feminism Club (UMFC) president Chin Jes Weng has called on the police and Universiti Malaya (UM) to prioritise the alleged sexual harassment by a professor rather than investigate the press conference highlighting the issue.

Speaking to Malaysiakini after providing her statement at the Brickfields district police headquarters, Chin (above, in white and holding mic) criticised the investigation into UMFC’s press conference as a blatant act of intimidation.

“This is an attempt to silence students and activists who speak out against harassment,” she said.

“We firmly call on the police to stop misusing the law to suppress students’ voices. Law enforcement resources should be directed towards serious cases of sexual harassment, ensuring justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.”

On Jan 21, police announced an investigation into the press conference for allegedly violating the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012.

Four individuals, including Chin, were called for questioning regarding the Dec 20 event held in front of UM’s Chancellery Building. The press conference exposed allegations that the academic had sent nude photos to students.

Take responsibilities seriously

Chin also urged UM to take its responsibilities seriously by addressing the issue with transparency, impartiality, and urgency.

“The investigation’s progress must be shared with the public regularly. The university must prevent any interference in the process or any attempts to foster a culture of fear and silence on campus,” she said.

She reiterated UMFC’s demand that the implicated professor be suspended until the investigation concludes to ensure a fair and unbiased process.

The allegations against the professor surfaced on Dec 16, when UMFC accused the university of failing to act despite multiple reports of sexual harassment.

UM announced on Dec 23 that the lecturer had been interdicted pending investigation.

However, a UM student told Malaysiakini that the professor had been seen on campus despite the order.

UM denied this, stating no evidence or witnesses supported the claim.

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