Former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam said the Education Ministry must investigate allegations of political interference in Universiti Malaya (UM), following claims that the ministry had harassed its academic staff.
"When there are such allegations, they need to be looked into by the authorities, or the ministry for the matter. Find out whether it's true or not. If it's true, put it right. If it's not, explain why it's not," said Musa, who is also a former education minister.
He was responding to the claim by former UM vice-chancellor Tan Sri Professor Dr Ghauth Jasmon that Putrajaya had harassed him over the varsity's opinion polls conducted by its Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMcedel), whose head Professor Datuk Dr Redzuan Othman was removed last week.
Don't bash critics
Musa said the government should not be defensive and start "bashing" those who criticised them, nor should it keep silent over the accusations.
"Don't just dismiss any criticism, observations, or analysis made by any member of society," Musa told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
But he said he himself was unaware of the situation in UM, noting that he had retired from politics.
"It was normal practice in my day, in the government, when you are told you are no good, something is wrong, you don't whack away at the person who says it, but you find out whether it is true or not," said Musa.
"That's the methodology of good governance." - TMI
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