[UPDATED] Wrong document: UiTM denies leaked report on anti-B40 lecturer

KUALA LUMPUR – Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) today denied a leaked report on the lecturer berating a B40 student, saying it is the “wrong document” with “incorrect information”.

UiTM’s Communications Department spokesman told the New Straits Times that several news websites have reported on “the wrong document” over the lecturer’s alleged remarks.

“The wrong document was referred to, and it was not an official or public document. Please hold off until the official statement is released.” 

“As of this hour, we have not made any official announcements in this regard. Investigation is still ongoing,” the spokesman was quoted as saying.

The leaked report purportedly showed that the UiTM management board could either not take any action against the lecturer who berated a B40 student for not having a laptop, or end her contract in April.

One of the recommendations is to not take action against the lecturer, as both have met and decided to “harmonise” the situation.

Another is to end the lecturer’s contract that was renewed on March 15. UiTM can terminate her appointment within 30 days from the date of acceptance.  

Yesterday, UiTM said it had taken “prompt and appropriate” action against a lecturer who was depicted in a viral video berating a student for being unable to afford a laptop.

UiTM vice-chancellor Datuk Roziah Mohd Janor said the university has investigated the matter, and that they always place a premium on the welfare and needs of its students.

She added that the university provides various funds offering financial support for students, and urged those facing problems to contact university and faculty staff for advice and assistance.

In a separate video posted on UiTM’s official TikTok account, Roziah said the viral video was a recording of a class from the previous semester and not a recent incident.

The professor involved was a contract lecturer and not a full-time staff member and that the incident had taken place in UiTM Seri Iskandar, Perak.

In the leaked video, which had gone viral, a professor is heard berating a student for attending her online class using his phone, saying the student should already own a computer as he was already in his fifth semester.

The lecturer went on to suggest that the student – who had earlier explained that his mother had died and father was jobless – ask his sister to sell off her gold bracelet to purchase a computer.

“The price of a computer is only RM800. What’s your problem? That’s why I can’t sit with B40 people. These people only think more about other things than education,” the lecturer said in the video, referring to people in the lowest wage category.

The video that was posted on Twitter has since been deleted. – The Vibes, March 31, 2022