KUALA LUMPUR – The Higher Education Ministry will not be taking action against Limkokwing University of Creative Technology despite the many allegations of racism against its senior management team.
The ministry said a special task force was formed to look into the matter.
“Based on investigations, there is not enough proof to say that Limkokwing University had committed any wrongdoing with regard to any racism issue. That is why the task force has concluded that there is no racism in the varsity’s conduct,” the ministry, in a parliamentary written reply to Ong Kian Ming (PH-Bangi) said, yesterday.
In June, at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests worldwide, a banner was emblazoned at Limkokwing University depicting a caricature of founder Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing with a cheetah and a crowd of African people with the caption “King of Africa”.
Following that, there were media reports from the varsity’s African students concerning racist practices by staff members.
The ministry touched on the issue of power abuses by university employees, in particular, lecturers who were working without permits.
“Checks by the task force found that action has been taken against teaching staff members who do not have permits to teach at the university. Thus, the task force has concluded that issues concerning abuse of power have been handled.”
The ministry submitted a letter to the varsity on July 1, ordering it to improve its management, so issues, such as those mentioned earlier, will not recur. – The Vibes, December 11, 2020