KOTA KINABALU – Eight-two University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) staff have called for the removal of top management officials, including Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Haleem Mohamed Razi, for allegedly failing to manage the institution.
They have signed a petition and submitted it to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor and Sabah Foundation director Datuk Gulamhaidar @ Yusof Khan Bahadar, but have yet to get a response.
The group is also seeking the removal of UCSF management board chairman Datuk K.Y. Mustafa and acting vice-chancellor Alan Lim Tze.
The group’s spokesman, Marwan Masran, told a press conference yesterday that the institution’s employees took a 50% pay cut from last October to March.
“What made us sadder and disappointed is that they had money to hire a lawyer, but were not able to pay us our claims after we won our case in the labour court on July 22.
“Not only were our salaries deducted, but we have also not been given any medical benefits since 2018.”
The UCSF management had reportedly halved staff salaries, including for those earning the RM1,200 minimum wage, resulting in them getting only RM600 per month.
On July 22, 37 staff brought the matter to the labour court, which ordered the institution to settle backdated pay amounting to RM94,709.35.
The UCSF management challenged the decision, taking the case to the high court.
Marwan said while Hajiji and Sabah Foundation have yet to respond to the petition, the group is calling on Haleem to step down for allegedly failing to manage UCSF.
“We are deeply saddened, disappointed, and felt pressured by the actions of the top management, which failed to manage the university, especially the welfare of its staff.”
In the petition, the group claims the management owes them salary increments that have not been paid since 2017.
“UCSF, which started in 2015, had an increasing student intake, but this reduced each year after Haleem became vice-chancellor in 2017. (The decreasing intake) was caused by the appointment of an inexperienced person to manage the marketing department of the university,” read the petition.
“Haleem was also not proactive in developing UCSF’s performance.” – The Vibes, September 5, 2021
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