source: http://www.malaysiakini.com
| Axed UM VC says its because she’s a woman |
| Beh Lih Yi | November 17, 2008 |
|
Former Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Rafiah Salim has alleged gender bias by the government towards local academicians amidst the controversy of her not being re-appointed to the post. The first woman to head a public university in the country, Rafiah’s contract was not renewed recently and she was informed on the decision merely 48 hours before the expiry of her term.
“Just because we are women and we don’t have that thing between the legs so we are not good,” she told Malaysiakini in an one-hour interview today held at her new office at UM. Former vice-chancellors of UM, the country’s oldest public university, are often granted an office premise to conduct research and development. “It’s so sad because there is this a ministry in charge of higher education and you expect them to be more liberal and advanced in their thinking,” the 61-year-old former law lecturer and former Bank Negara assistant governor argued. Explaining her allegation of gender bias, Rafiah said she recently learnt that the women VCs were only given a two-year contract while male VCs were given a three-year contract. This included her successor Prof Dr Ghauth Jasmon. “Doesn’t this [show they are] more confident in men than in women?” she questioned. Clashes with deputy minister Rafiah’s contract was extended for another six months in May this year until the government’s decision to discontinue her services recently. Following this decision, she has locked horns with Deputy Higher Education Minister Idris Haron after the latter gave an explanation in Parliament on why her contract was not renewed.
The decision to discontinue Rafiah’s contract also sparked off a debate in Parliament with some women parliamentarians raising their concern that the issue involved gender inequality. Former national unity and social development minister Napsiah Omar also expressed her displeasure over the decision. On this, an irked Rafiah argued: “I don’t care why they have replaced me but what I am upset about is the defamatory remarks that the deputy minister made in Parliament. “He was really casting aspersions on my capability, track record and insinuating that I didn’t perform. “He could have given whatever excuse he wants [although] I know it’s difficult for him to justify it because it’s a gender thing […] but because he can’t provide an explanation, he cast aspersions on me.
Defending her two-and-a-half year term at UM, she said the transformation plan she laid out for the university was on track and one example was that she has successfully increased the number of UM publications from 3,300 three years ago to 5,882 as of June this year. The former VC, who came all prepared for the interview complete with her ‘report card’ also pointed out that the university has managed to climb the Times Higher Education World University’s rankings from 246 last year to 230 this year. “When were just about to come up, they stop me,” she lamented, adding that she was not told how she did not perform well. ‘I couldn’t be bothered anymore’ Despite her anger, Rafiah denied she was bitter over the episode other that what Idris has said in Parliament. She said she was of the view that it was the ministry’s prerogative to appoint their candidate.
Rafiah also stressed that she was not interested in seeking reinstatement to the post. “I am not interested in reinstatement. I am not interested in the job anymore, I have moved on. I have booked my holiday to see my grandchildren and I have started my book […] but suddenly he (Idris) comes and defames me,” she said. Rafiah was obviously upset over the 48-hour notice given to her over the non-renewal of her contract, saying this showed the ministry’s lack of respect for ‘basic human decency’. According to her, the decision not to extend her contract had already been made beforehand – even before the search committee tasked with appointing the VC had interviewed her. “The system is flawed, he (Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin) talks of transparency… what transparency? Was it advertised? What are the criteria? Do any of us know the criteria they are looking for?” she asked.
“Don’t correct it, I am already out […] I couldn’t be bothered anymore,” she replied. Khaled, who was Rafiah’s student when the latter was a UM law lecturer, has called for the debate over the controversy to stop. The minister also stressed that new UM VC’s appointment was made according to procedures and the decision was final. Tomorrow: Rafiah reveals political interference in UM |
She was appointed in May 2006.
Idris (left) had said that UM needed someone with a high level of performance who could elevate the university’s status and the new appointee, Ghauth, had vast experience in public universities.
“If he had said it outside Parliament, I can sue him. I have 34 years of an excellent career,” said Rafiah.
“They have a right to appoint a monkey if they want,” she told Malaysiakini.
Rafiah, however, declined to comment when asked on how the selection process could be improved.
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
How unbecoming of a woman (certainly no lady) in her standing to say such “things”. She deserves to get the boot. For once the authorities have done right! By mistake of course.
“Just because we are women and we don’t have that thing between the legs so we are not good,” Rafiah
How come Hilary Clinton never referred to ‘that thing swinging between Bill’s legs’ when she was campaigning to be her Party’s presidential candidate?? She had more reason than most people to be ‘frightened’ of that ‘thing between the legs’ and what it could do to her career..
She referred in more elegant terms to ‘breaking the glass ceiling’ for women.
Maaammm….please reflect on how you were appointed….certainly not due to your academic credentials…..Dumbo Mustapha did a Kelantanese magic trick…and put you there.
UM should have had Jasmon or someone with similar credentials at that time even. Idris/Khalid did the right thing…..this “low class lady” had no business runnng UM…..a cursory look at even the UM’s medical faculty reveals a warzone scene with haphazard buildings and renovations…..travel down to the other faculties…they are all like school buildings. It is obvious money is flowing to ITM and UKM……this lady didnt know how to turn the place around…she was in for the ride….the new VC must get the funds and get rid of some of these the TNC’s and useless Deans…..
_____________
Thatcher, we have reasons to be disappointed that the 103 year old (1905, established at the same time as the National University of Singapore) UM continues to slide in ranking compared to other universities in our region, not taking into account others around the world. We have had a series of low quality VCs since the departure of Ungku A. Aziz.
From a household name, UM has become a has been and low class university. How does it feel to have your degree debased because the University that conferred it now has a bad reputation in the estimation of its peers. I liken this to a diminution in the value of your stocks and bonds over time. Reputation (intellectual capital) of a university has a value, and it can be easily imputed. I graduated from UM(then known as MU) in 1963, 45 years ago. What is that degree worth? It is the net present value of my total annual income less taxes from the day I received my first salary cheque to the day I retired (I have no pension as a private sector person).
What is needed is a total revamp of the institution. Get rid of UMNO elements who are interfering university affairs, change the University Board, review the pedagogy, remove incompetent and corrupt administrators and laggard academics, and engage top quality professors and lecturers,etc. It is also important to get the alumni involved and we must restore power to academic deans. But there is no political will to do it.
I spent one year at UM’s Asia-Europe Institute (May 2000- April 2001) in a consulting capacity with a committed team who were given the task of establishing it. We encountered lots of bureaucracy and it took months, for instance, to even decide on its status, despite the excellent cooperation and support we had received from the then VC Dato Dr. Anwar Zaini who has gone on to be the Dean of the Monash University Medical Faculty, where he is now doing an excellent job. It leads me to conclude that bad culture is difficult to eradicate, more so when a mediocre VC is in charge.
Rafiah Salim has an oversized ego; she is not prepared to look at her own self. It is a convenient ploy for her to say that she has been discriminated against. Those woman VCs who are still at their jobs should be well advised to remember that performance matters and results count. Get on with your job and if you do well you should be amply rewarded and your contracts will be renewed. But if you play Wanita UMNO politics ala Shahirzat and Nafsah Omar, you must bear the consequences. Play politics and you will get burnt because UMNO politicians are protected by their patrons in the party.—Din Merican
She might have angered the UMNO people being too neutral gendered. Her outspokeness in office would certainly have ruffled many feathers, her Minister, who was her student, included. Someone might been misheard in the interview. She might have insinuated she had it while the Minister didn’t! 😉
__________
Salak,
Ego problem. 8) —Din Merican
“Rafiah was obviously upset over the 48-hour notice given to her over the non-renewal of her contract, saying this showed the ministry’s lack of respect for ‘basic human decency’.”
If merely following the terms of the contract means showing a lack of respect for ‘basic human decency’ then the study of contract law should be discontinued since it would mean teaching law students they could show disrespect for ‘basic human decency’!
You’re a joke, Rafiah Salim – just like Sarah Palin!
The action taken in replacing her,whoever is responsible kudos to him/her.I however think “gender bias” is at the basis of this move.There are many examples that can be evidenced to substantiate my hunch.I will give one,Who was at the core of the RM30billion loss in the Forex debacle few years back? Where might I ask is he now? no less a Minister in our present government and what’s even more scary he is at the core of how the government spends our money.Please, names do not show up very clearly when they come up in blogs but trust me I am 100% male. Believe me as I cant give any more details to prove my sex.
But let’s pause for a minute and not be distracted by ‘that thing between the legs’ comment of hers.
Is this Rafiah Salim saying that her rise was not due to political reasons? I’m sure there were more qualified people for the post who were bypassed because they didn’t belong to the ‘right’ race. Wasn’t she ‘talent’ scouted by May Bank in the 90s to head their human resource department based on the political need of the time? Wasn’t she ‘talent’ scouted by Bank Negara to be one of its assistant governors based on the political need of the time?
Your students objected to the ‘pendulum’ effect of your lectures as you lectured them, making it difficult for them to concentrate on what you were saying (perhaps Khaled Nordin was one of them), you must know that the pendulum swings both ways!
Datuk Rafiah Salim..kah kah kah..you remind me of Bik Mama..kah kah kah..
Are you having sour grapes now? kah kah kah..
Is it very great that UM once lost to UKM and with you in power, UM again emerged no.1 in Malaysia? kah kah kah..
Why compare with other local uni’s in Malaysia only? kah kah kah..what happened to other world universities..
kah kah kah..where are we now? didn’t you follow the Times Higher Education Supplement? kah kah kah..
kah kah kah kah..’don’t have that THING between the two legs’…kah kah kah…what THING? kah kah kah…
___________
DJ Chin, what is the Kah Kah thing? I expect you to be more coherent.—Din Merican
Hell knows no fury than a woman scorned. This woman is an angry woman. But what puts me off is her language. It’s crude for a woman of her stature to use words like ‘ those things between the legs ‘ and ‘they can appoint a monkey’. I would say she deserves the boot for her uncouth behaviour.
_________
Mr. Smith, one’s “classiness” depends on one’s education. Her conduct and language show the kind of education she received.—Din Merican
Dear Din
Such uncouth language, so unbecoming of a VC of UM, of which I’m a alumnus (1970’s). I’m much aggrieved at the wanton destruction of a once first-class institution by a third class management. During my time, the medical faculty, under the careful tutelage of the late Prof Danaraj, was respected as one of the finest in the world.
Din, great blog, have been reading it from the beginning. Mr Bean, always looking forward to your learned opinions and witty remarks.
KY
___________
Dr. KY, I know many great professors at the Medical Faculty like Professor Alex Delikan and of course Professor Danaraj, among them. The UK does not recognise our medical degrees today.—Din Merican
Her outburst is inconsequential, Smithy. The less we see of her the better. UM has long been relegated to the dustbin of history. Whether it goes up or down the merit scale makes little or no difference. The rot has set in a long long time ago. It’s on auto pilot ever since.
I am no lawyer. But I thought if a contract is not renewed, that’s it. The employer is not under any obligation to renew a contract. So what’s the fuss about a 48-hour notice. If you are not told anything about a contract extension, you should assume that your contract will not be renewed.
pywng
____________
That’s right pywong. Who does Rafiah Salim think she is? I am sure you too must be feeling sad since you are an engineer trained by the “Engine” Faculty of UM.—Din Merican
This is arrogant at the highest level and imagine levelling all the accusations whilst sitting at her new office at UM. If you really had any pride or class at all, you would used another platform to make all these accusations.
Why doesn’t she give us her so called report card as Head of HR at Maybank, Assistant Governor at BNM or Assistant Secretary General for HR at UN? Let’s see all that and let her Superiors confirm her achievements. and probably then we all can say she was right. So far it is only her and not a whimper defending her about her tenure at Maybank, Bank Negara Malaysia and United Nations from the people who can attest to her achievements and contributions. For once, I tend to agree to what a decision taken by the Ministry of Higher Education.
Smith says
This woman is an angry woman. But what puts me off is her language. It’s crude for a woman of her stature to use words like ‘ those things between the legs ‘ and ‘they can appoint a monkey’u
get into this website n u will know where we stand 😦
http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005Main.htm
cheers
pywong,
ur right when d contract ends the term of service expires as well, for “face-saving” act malaysian style we usually tell them up front.
in d eyes of d law it ain’t necessary, especially if the terms n conditions are spelt out explicitly
cheers
Folks,
I guess she’s fuming over the fact that the one she sees as being responsible for her contract not being renewed is also the one who has ‘that thing hanging between his legs’! This is like not being able to see the wood from the trees.
I agree with her. When the first time they appointed her, I remembered my male colleagues talking to me remarking and suggesting that it would be great for me as I am a woman. They also seems to be insinuating that she would be lousy without giving her a chance. Ever since then, many lecturers in UM (female and male) that I met tried to put her down, but I gave respect to her efforts and feel it is unfair that she was given 2 years instead of 3 years.
Just look at all the past VCs. Some worst then her who were given 3 years also. Yes, there is discrimination for women lecturers in Universiti Malaya in general, what more in a high position such as VC. I feel her approach is less formal and people don’t like that. They tied it up to her being a “non-academic”, but in my opinion the late Tan Sri Abdullah Sanusi was very corporate even though he had a PhD, he was more corporate than Datuk Rafiah. In fact Datuk Rafiah is comparable to Abdullah Sanusi but was not given the chance to have her contract renewed just because she was informal (with her frequent emails to us all) and more accessible then most. I find her more friendly. They don’t want that. They want an icon. Yes, UM is still stuffy and old. Nothing’s changed….
___________
LecturerUM,
I just want t ask you whether during her time you were given additional training abroad? Not that it matters.
Most people know about her work quality as an administrator, even before she came to the job at UM. I for one. It is unfortunate that her former colleagues at MayBank, Bank Negara and the United Nations are not prepared to make any comments. But if you care to ask them in private they will tell you what they think. It served Badawi to appoint her for political mileage, nothing else. Anyway the PM himself is nothing much to show about either.—Din Merican
How come nobody heard her whine when she accepted the post ? I like to believe that her boss would have treated her departure differently had she been a more graceful lady or person. Maybe being graceful is not among her strong suits or maybe she simply does not believe in a graceful exit, she prefered to go out with a bang? 🙂
It’s a dog eat dog world out there. I sympathize with her for not being able to control her anger and at the same time having to defend herself. It’s true that gender bias does exists in the workplace. But then that’s another story to tell.
oops rafiah…i forgot..kah kah kah..i thought you were the one who got BOO-ed by students during the recent Malaysian Student Leaders Summit? is it you? kah kah kah..or is it Bik Mama? kah kah kah kah…
_____________
DJ Chin, you are still in a Kah, Kah mode! —Din Merican
it’s no wonder our standard have ‘graduated’ from the ‘top 250’ to the ‘top 500’ as described by our apanama in parliament. imagine what the students would think of their ex-vc ‘who had nothing between her legs’ firing away like that, or they already knew.
for a university VC to be talking in such a manner and accusing those with ‘that thing between the legs’ for terminating her service simply because ‘she have other things between her legs’. but she should be fortunate because she possessed ‘two things between her arms’. maybe the new monkey is in for peanuts. then again, a monkey have more between their legs.
let the grandma have her say la. she likely thinks these young things with things between their legs are no match for her and so, she can say what she likes. of course, she can say what she likes. they can’t fire her and they won’t sue her either. she was a law professor after all. anyway, in england, politicians can be cruder. the fact is, the glass ceiling does exist in Malaysia, whether your like it or not.
Comparing her with Khir Toyo, that mamak Ahmad from Penang and that guilty Najib, and some sexist PAS neanderthals, she is too mild and insignificant to even bother – what is MU anyway? A totally race-based institution of higher learning that was supposed to showcase Malay genius – that backfired quite nicely, thank you very much. She is lucky she does not have to suffer the likes of Ahmad the racist from Penang and then be hauled up under ISA to reflect on dog’s food.
Folks
Please don’t exhibit gender bias in your comments. Rafiah may have plans that the powers that be cannot accept. Why? Maybe its coming from a female and the male chauvinist feels threatened or ahe may be ahead of her time and challenging the status quo. After years of mediocre performance its really difficult to change things especially when mediocrity have settled in and become second nature to the administration of UM.
Read the statement by the Dy Minister of Higher Education and you will get the drift.
As for the language, why is it men can make such sexist statements but if it comes from a lady it is suddenly unacceptable. And here we are screaming gender equality. If you can dish it out you must also be able to take it.
Contracts usually have a timeline for renewal. Usually a contract is renegotiated 30 to 90 days before expiry. So giving Rafiah or anyone else 48 hours notice goes against the rule of law unless she is fired.
Rafiah is lashing out in the only way she feels she can get attention. I salute her for being brave to stand up against the injustice done towards her gender as well as her position as VC. If the mistake was in appointing her then the person that appointed her should be the one fired.
Man! She is 1 angry broad!
She has no right to be angry abt the 48hr notice of non-renewal. When they don’t give her a new contract before the expiry of the last contract, the notice is actually ZERO!
That is why it’s a contract..start & end date. Period
But I don’t blame her for being upset over the reasons stated to replace her
being as they needed
“someone with a high level of performance who could elevate the university’s status and the new appointee, Ghauth, had vast experience in public universities.”
Did I miss something?
I didn’t read anything alluding to her gender which was why the contract was not renewed. Isn’t Zeti Gov of Central Bank female? she still seems to be doing fine…so I hardly think the issue is Gender related?
The pun “It aint over til the fat lady sings” comes to mind.
Sir,
Pls read Parliament Hansard of the day mentioned http://www.parlimen.gov.my/hindex/pdf/DR-13112008.pdf
In reference to your earlier posting (after Star’s first report on the issue Saturday?) on UM (and also UKM) losing out to USM as Apex Uni, please read http://www.bernama.com/bernama//v3/news_lite.php?id=366485 and the sun http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=27104
Decisions on choosing heads of our varsities too have not been transparent — and from the Hansard mentioned and the questions left unanswered by our Dept Minister, it seems as if the all-male selection committee had no other candidate, besides the ‘zero to hero’ selected, and the Star says for 3 years?? automatically.
While we may not be used to straight-talking women (just see how our ‘Bocor’ MPs continuously behave in Parliament), I can’t blame Rafiah for stating her indignance in ‘Alpha Male language’.
I am just as pissed at the wool being pulled over our eyes EVERYDAY by bully politicians for no logical reason. Please, Fluff off.
The first remark you’ve quoted Din is totally irrelevant and should never have been uttered by Rafiah! This is the kind of gender bias and female chauvinism that we wouldn’t want to perpetuate! Women must rise above male sexism!
The reference to monkey is so typically Malaysian too! “Macam monyet” is always the final salvo that sends us back to our virgin jungles!
Why can’t we learn to articulate our thoughts well, choosing words and expressions that convey them succinctly and in the most appropriate way?
Why can’t we lift the level of argument and logic to a substantive level so that our readers and listeners are convinced of its relevance?
Malaysians, including our leaders, speak in a rather colloquial manner even when they should be using a register that is more formal and befits both the occasion and their stature.
We must learn to express ourselves more carefully so that we do not expose ourselves unnecessarily! Unless we mean to of course!
“Contracts usually have a timeline for renewal. Usually a contract is renegotiated 30 to 90 days before expiry. So giving Rafiah or anyone else 48 hours notice goes against the rule of law unless she is fired.” Shrek
Prior to entering into an employment contract, the matter of notice would have been discussed and agreed to between both parties. A notice period of three calendar months is normal. Either party may decide to breach the notice period of three months on condition three months salary is paid to compensate for the short notice. An employer may decide to waive the three months salary payable by the employee in lieu of his or her notice.
Such short notice of forty eight hours, without more, given to the employee is akin to constructive dismissal.
I believe she’s been sidelined because she refused to play ball. Like everything else in the country, the universities are politicised or Umnocised to be exact. The Education system is run by a bunch of politicians who are more interested in their own career by pleasing their political masters than in the education of our children. I hope she expose the charade to us.
Such short notice of forty eight hours, without more, given to the employee is akin to constructive dismissal. In fact in her case, it is a case of constructive dismissal as any labor law student would tell you.
What did she do or failed to do to warrant her constructive dismissal? Constructive dismissal is still dismissal. We will know when and if she takes the matter to court. Will she??
“I believe she’s been sidelined because she refused to play ball.” imwatchinu
How could she play ball? She would be the first to scream “Discrimination!” since in her own words she doesn’t have “that thing between the legs”. Not unless she decides to get into the back seat of Old Geezer’s Cooper S. My Morris Minor is too old and too small to withstand her weight 🙂
from d firing of Ruff-iya … to tat thing between ma legs oops jus legs .. now Bean gets his chance to practise once again in a Malaysian court
Halimah n shrek gets into Woman Advocacy … reminds me of bra burning ameican gals
wats next folks :))
cheers
Shrek has gone into bra burning??? :)Where Shrek is, the men want their right to marry other men.
Poor poor girl! Unfortunately she is Chinese/Indian, who would have easily accepted her fate as a persona non-grata as far as rising to the top in the local public university scene. Who cares about all talents that have left for Singapore and other parts of the world because they found that they belong to the wrong race in Malaysia.
I am a former student of the then Puan Rafiah Salim. She taught us Law of Contracts in the first year. She had always been sharp tongued and when she felt she had to shoot, it is between the eye that she would aim at. No more and no less. But that was what endeared her to many students. She was smart, intelligent, hard working, committed and straight. However, to say that she had stepped on many feet in the university hierarchy would be an understatement.
She then left for Maybank at which she excelled. Two or three highly respectable positions later, she ended up as the first lady VC of the Uni of Malaya.
Reading the interview, I think she was just angry and upset at being treated the way she was. Just imagine. Being told her contract was not going to be renewed in a 48 hour notice! Granted. The employment contract says a 48 hour notice was all that was needed. But surely there could be more human touch in dealing with her. I am sure they would have romanced her with lunches, teas and dinners when they wanted to appoint her as VC. Surely, a personal meeting with the Minister or whoever where they could thank her for a job well done and where she could be told that there is a shift in priorities or whatever which necessitates the non-renewal of her contract. Surely, perhaps, a phone call would be good too, in place of the personal meeting. Sometime, it is not the thing which is done but rather how that thing is being done which matters.
And for the Deputy Minister to later appear in the Parliament and said that the new appointment is now based on performance and ability reeks of saying that the past appointment was not so based and that Rafiah Salim was not performing. I think that was hurtful.
OmarQYum
Halimah and Shrek gets into Woman Advocacy – Omar
Discrimination is discrimination irregardless of age, sex, race color, national origin or sexual preference. If Rafiah’s case happen in the US the Dy Minister will be hauled up in court in a jiffy. Perhaps Dr Bean ooops Mr Bean can enlighten us on Title IX on Sexual Harrasment. All of us will be included for suggesting that she does not have what’s between the legs and the likes.
Consider for a moment that Rafiah is your sister or spouse. How would you react? Would you be angry or mad at the Dy Minister or would you accept the decision and insult and defamation of character? Most of us are speculating and making assumption that it was Rafiah’s failure to deliver. We really don’t know for sure the circumstances to lead her to utter such remarks.
Everytime I read Din’s blog there’s always someone complaining and bitching about discrimination. Most of the writers wants a “level playing field” and no special treatment for the Malays or some other groups. Pray tell me how do we achieve this if we can’t start by correcting the gender discrimination. As it is females in Malaysia are paid less than their male counterparts for the same jobs. Often times females are hired not for their brains but for their looks. Airline cabin crew is a good example.
With all the hanky panky by BN we still endorse their gender bias decision. I for one would like to know who are the other candidates and how is Ghauth better than Rafiah. This is the first time i hear the name Ghauth. What are his examplary accomplishment and how about his track record. Did he manage to pull up another University ranking into the top 200? There are many questions that runs through my mind but suffice to say give Rafiah a break. Challenge the BN, Minister of Higher Education and UM Board of Governors selection process. You may be surprised by what you will discover. Hope it’s not one of those “Sila Jayakan” letters.
Bean, my Cooper S cannot take her lah. If she’s in I am out.
Strange that in these times Malaysians get upset with a loudmouth bitchy VC.
She could have turned the place on it’s head and bitch UMNO idiots to hell! 😀
“I believe she’s been sidelined because she refused to play ball.” imwatchinu
Refused to play ball? What do you expect?? She does’t have what it takes! 🙂 Ask Jong. She should know.
Comeon Din! MU has been languishing, in utter stupor! You got to shake and rattle the place until whatever they have in between the ears (or legs) come alive!
The bigger the ego she has, the better for the place. We do know that when our ego gets uncontrollably big, our bubble burst with the tiniest prick. That’s life, what?
She has all the libido the whole Education Ministry lacks! Many would agree that the place needs to be creatively deconstructed! 😀
I don’t think it’s the ‘gender’ issue and discrimination that she made it out to be. In the first place Rafiah should not have been selected for the VC post of Malaysia’s premier university. She does not have the qualification and credentials to begin with. She has failed and we all know that. Why is she complaining now when they signed her up for a two year contract, she did not object? I agree with pywong, if you are not told anything about a contract extension, you should assume that your contract will not be renewed. So what’s the fuss about?
For whatever reasons, her outbursts and language used was shocking, totally uncalled for especially for someone in her position. Obviously her tongue worked faster than her mind!
Datin Halimah,
I am very concerned about the reputation of MU/UM. I really don’t care about the gender of the Vice Chancellor. Rafiah chose to enter an UMNO infested institution and she must now bear the consequences of her decision. Politicians generally love to find scapegoats for their problems, Today, it is Rafiah, and so on.
Art Harun,
You may know her better. Maybe I have been listening to people who are “envious of her” (standard Malay argument), but I do think her conduct is unbecoming of her stature. In the meantime, Universiti Malaya remains in the dumps. There is no political will to deal with the issues and challenges of running a university in the 21st century. Even the new VC will fail.
—-Din Merican
Jong,
Shock? The very thing the nation needs, RIGHT NOW! 😀
As long as we have MCP politicians and Ministers elected to Parliament, such comments will be make over and over again.
It is the politicians that is blowing their trumpet and unfortunately, those professionals who happened to work under them will always be collateral damage.
Of course, she has!
It only takes a small sharp point to prick a bubble! It’s very likely the Education Minister “kecut teloq” and ask his deputy who’s got a prick too big and blunt to burst her bubble!!! 😀
Err …isn’t that what UMNO wants? What BN wants? To break you down until you have no will? Everything kecot, between the legs and ears!!!
Those people “the Ministry”, has no bizness TO BE there! That parliament episode is the last nail in the coffin. With the Menara Pusing, you have TO BE THERE, to pusing!
All you need to do with the real Menara Gading is sit back, relax and ask them for “the plan”. You don’t like it because it’s no good, sack him/her! If they don’t know what to do, then God help us! That lanun from Kinabatangan won’t!!! 👿
NOW, what do WE WANT? 😉
As an ex-UN staff member I can well sympathise with Rafiah. At least a month before the end of any contract there is an exit interview in which the UN agency asks for your views on your work experience and your suggestions for improvements, etc. Its a very constructive and civil process for both parties, and certainly Malaysian employers can benefit from adopting such a model, instead of leaving a bitter taste in the soon to be ex-employee.
I think Rafiah is as qualified for the job if not more so than other VCs appointed by the government. As for her remarks regarding gender and monkeys-well if the shoe fits.
I think if it was a male ex VC our deputy minister would not have been that free flowing with his highly prejuidicial comments.
Shrek,
dun git worked up, its jus a joke man 🙂 (the woman advocacy thingy ) anway back to this Ruff-iya gal ….
lets admit the fact that UM has gone down d drain years prior to her appointment but that does not mean i would wanna let her off scot free … or shud i ?
since her employment/contract started , she had been on the payroll and rightfully she shud have either escalated the matter or hilited it out from the onset.
wat is she wailing n crying aloud for now. during her period of service the decline has continued n tat is wat she shud take ownership of rather than wallow over MCP n balls n balless issue which is of no relevance here
anway … i wish d new guy luck … probably we he can help turn the place into a museum 🙂
cheers
Rach,
its alway nice to offer sympathy n condolences after d fact, i still believe tat she is partly resonsible for d slide n must take ownership of it.
like i stated above, if u dun qualify or dun know how to position urself in a crisis situation dun take the job (salary.. perks .. holiday … etc)
now she crys aloud of unfairness … at the end of her contract :)) why didn’t she cry during her tenure ?
VC’s like Raffiyah can be found a dime a dozen … thats why our malaysian degree is not valid outta the boundaries of Selat Melaka or across the Isthmus of Kra 🙂
Malaysian Gomen recognizes the Gajah Mada Medic Faculty but not vice versa ..
nid to go have ma coffee soon
cheers
omar,
This couldn’t be achieved on autopilot or seduction. She probably has faults like most of us. After all, she came from UMNO’s “graciousness”. At the worst, somebody might have thought she could stir up things a little. Although, had she spent some money and 3 months on physical imaging she could have made more people bust their balls to work harder, or perhaps “cium” her hand? 😀
Dear Din, my ‘Kah Kah Kah’ mode was derived from Tukar Tiub, Hishamuddin Rais’ blog. I see that you have his link in your blogroll. It goes as follows:
BERUK AKAN DILANTIK SEBAGAI NAIB CANCELOR UM KATA RAFIAH SALIM BEKAS NAIB CANCELOR – mKini
“They have a right to appoint a monkey if they want,” she told Malaysiakini.
TERJEMAHAN : Mereka berhak untuk melantik beruk jika mereka mahu’, kata Rafiah Salim bekas naib cancelor Universiti Malaya yang baru sahaja di buang kerja.
Menurut Rafiah Salim dia di buang kerana ‘ tidak ada benda yang tumbuh di celah kangkang beliau..’.
Rafiah telah mencabar Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran Idris Harun untuk membuktikan ‘ada benda yang tumbuh di celah kangkangnya ‘ dengan membuat kenyataan yang memperkecilkan keupayaan Rafiah di luar Parlimen. Jika Idris Harun berani bercakap di luar Parlimen Rafiah pasti akan menyaman.
kah kah kah…. ini real munkeeee… kah kah kah…. ini real kontol…. kah kah kah….
NOTA:
Sila lihat laporan : TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT (THES) 2008.
Malaysia tertinggal di belakang Thailand, Indonesia dan Philipina
Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) – Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ratings juga menunjukkan semua universiti-universti di Malaysia jauh ketinggalan dibawah 200 buah universiti terbaik dalam dunia.
Terlalu tercorot berbanding dengan universiti dari Singapura, China, Jepun, Hong Kong , Taiwan dan Korea Selatan.
kah kah kah …satu lagi dasar KETUANAN MELAYU…. ka kah kah..
kah kah kah…. dasar yang melahirkan munkeee munkeee…. kah kah kah…
I setuju tu, kalau beruk!
Kami di Sarawak banyak orang hutan! Jaga-jaga, mereke pun pandai gigit! 😀
Tak tau bahagian mana dia orang suka! 😀
Dear Mr Din,
In my opinion, UM always get caught in the politics of the country. When the Higher Education Minister changes, the agenda changes (or shall we say the actors change). I have great fondness for VCs, Datuk Dr Anuar Zaini and Arwah Tan Sri Dr Abdullah Sanusi. During Datuk AZ time the politicians that be liked to meddle also. I was upset his tenure wasn’t renewed. They painted him with the “oppositions’ brush” somehow. After that there was a “huge rombak” to get the senior management and dons to be pro – “whatever”! Let’s put it this way. As a woman lecturer, I have lots of ideas, but I am viewed as aggressive or trying to put forward my agenda (whatever is that?) It takes longer to be promoted and it takes longer for people to trust you. So if you are given a bad hand ( not an ace, maybe 2 spade) in the beginning, you have to fight extra to stay put and be counted(cue Datuk Rafiah’s 2 year contract)…by the way, no, I did not train abroad during her time as VC.
Salak,
did send a reply out but it got swallowed sumwhere 🙂
just go look into d world rankings of Universities around n u will feel like burning ur local degree 🙂
cheers
Lecturer UM,
ummph nice nick 🙂
its not only UM but it goes all d way down to every damned U we have here, jus take a look @ d garbage UUM produces … u can built an island on reclaimed and using this grads
i ain’t blaming u but lets face it we can’t even git Bangkok Jakarta or Manila to recognize our degree …. mayb Timbak-too
cheers
What’s the big deal when it comes to gender bias? In the U.S. we still have it. Women are not being paid the same as men for equal work; and President-elect Obama has made it part of his electoral campaign promises to do something about it. He is not the first. He won’t be the last.
Why should a country like Muslim Malaysia be an exception to the rule??
Whether a 2-day notice is all that is required after a 6-month extension, reference will have to be made to the terms of the contract. It is reasonable to assume that her employer must have consulted their legal advisor before acting.
Like she has been reported to say, that is not the issue. The issue is the manner in which they dragged her name into the ground in Parliament. If remarks that were made about her were defamatory, the way to seek redress is through the courts system and not through the media.
When PR takes over the federal government, they should restore university autonomy and have the notorious UUCA 1971 introduced by Mahathir which has a stifling effect on the growth and development of institutions of higher learning.
OmarQYum
Shrek is cool, no sweat. Shrek was just trying to ensure that we don’t hit on a person when he/she is down. Shrek always try to remember “significant impact”. What if that person had been Shrek, how would I like to be treated that’s all. It’s very easy to join the bandwagon but it would be bitter pill to swallow.
“Rafiah chose to enter an UMNO infested institution and she must now bear the consequences of her decision.” Din Merican
People like Rafiah have chosen to swim with the sharks, even chartering their career paths with the sharks and so they have only themselves to blame when they become food for the sharks.
Bean,
” they become food for the sharks ” do they cum in canned tuna or sardine during lunch time 🙂
cheers
The shark that mistakes her for food is likely to spit her out. The sheer size would kill the shark.
No need to be so rude to Rafiah just because she is a gal, you MCPs. I guess if she looked like the Peruvian ladies in Zorro (Unmasked)’s blog U will do a U Turn.
What’s so great about the previous (male) VCs except for Ungku? UM today is a cumulative mess of misguided educational policies and TM’s disdain for academics. Some of the best scholars and researchers were hounded out because they expressed views not to the liking of the political leaders. The whole ranking mess is a result of ministerial poliicies and politics whereby merit is disregarded-staff promotion and student entry into the Uni is not decided by objective criteria. I am happy that Rafiah has spoken out and made people aware. No apologies needed from one gutsy lady.
Btw I got my u/grad degree from UM and it got me into some top Universities in the UK and the USA, so don’t condemn it into the Straits of Melaka.
__________
emmie, you got into “some top Universities in the UK and the USA” largely due to your ability and personality, rather than the fact that you are an UM undergraduate. Have you considered that?—Din Merican
Please, enough guys. She’s already history so let’s leave her alone.
Try go for a sex change rafiah!!You might get another 3 yrs..ha!ha!ha!
Rafiah had wrongly promoted female lecturers by cronyism with citation below 50 and didnt promote those deserved lecturers and men with citation as high as 190. Gauth Jasmon has done the right thing, UM is now top 200 and above all other Universities in Malaysia in less than a year. Well done Gauth Jasmon.
Rafiah you cheapskate deserved the termination of contract, especially for “the thing between the legs.” As a lawyer you shouldn’t say this, all men can sue you instead, before you sue anybody! Now the damages done by Rafiah is all the useless and not performing so-called female “professors” and some male APs are happily enjoy their sweet time and money in UM doing nothing but wasting Rakyat’s money with their big big salary each month.