UMS convocation pushed to Nov 30 for Sabah polls, board chair says

Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) convocation, which was scheduled on Nov 29, has been postponed a day to Nov 30 due to the 17th Sabah state election.

UMS’ board of directors’ chairperson, Abdul Rahman Dahlan (above) said the previous date was set without knowing that the Election Commission (EC) would announce the same date as polling day for the state election.

“So legally, we cannot hold a programme that hinders, let’s say people from Sandakan or Tawau to show up.

“So, we feel responsible to postpone the convocation date to the 30th,” he told reporters at the Mara Women’s Empowerment Programme and Malaysia Madani Statehood seminar today.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Noraini Ahmad and Mara chairperson Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Rahman said the decision was made as a compromise to allow students and their families to vote without disrupting the convocation.

“We understand, one is to give them a chance to vote and then come to UMS and we also understand that many families come from a distance, who have bought tickets and such.

“So, we postpone it for a day as a compromise,” he added.

The EC has set Nov 15 as nomination day, with early voting on Nov 25 and polling day on Nov 29.

- Bernama

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