Police Summon Four Speakers Over Professor’s Nude Pictures Scandal
Background
Four individuals have been summoned by the police for questioning over a recent press conference held by a Universiti Malaya (UM) club, where they spoke out against a professor accused of sharing nude pictures of himself with students.
Those Summoned
The four individuals, S Indramalar, Wong Xiao You, Aznijar Yazid, and Chin Jes Weng, are all associated with the UM Feminism Club (UMFC). S Indramalar is a gender studies masters graduate, while Wong Xiao You is from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. Aznijar Yazid is an exco member of the UM Academic Staff Association.
Reason for Summoning
According to the UMFC, the police informed the four that they had violated the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) and summoned them for questioning. One of the four has already given a statement, while the remaining three are scheduled to be questioned on Saturday morning.
UMFC’s Response
The UMFC has expressed concern over the authorities’ actions, stating that it is "confusing" that the police were "extra vigilant" towards the event from the onset, including by deploying "a significant number of armed police" at the press conference. The club also criticized the use of the PAA to "target those standing in solidarity with the victims of sexual harassment".
Concerns and Criticism
The UMFC also questioned the police’s motives, asking "Since when have the police been authorised to interfere directly in campus affairs?" They also expressed concern that suppressing those who raise such issues would not resolve the underlying problem and might even discourage victims from filing police reports against the professor in question. The club further asked, "If organisations or individuals supporting sexual harassment victims can be summoned today, how can victims trust that the police will not misuse their powers against them?"
University’s Response
UM had suspended the professor in line with the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 on December 23 last year.
Conclusion
The summoning of the four individuals has sparked heated debate over the authorities’ handling of the situation. The UMFC’s concerns highlight the need for a thorough investigation into the professor’s actions and the need to protect those who speak out against sexual harassment.
FAQs
- Who were the four individuals summoned by the police?
- S Indramalar, Wong Xiao You, Aznijar Yazid, and Chin Jes Weng
- What was the reason for the summoning?
- Violation of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA)
- What is the UMFC’s stance on the matter?
- UMFC criticized the use of the PAA to target those standing in solidarity with the victims of sexual harassment and expressed concern over the police’s motives.