(STAR) KUALA LUMPUR: A Universiti Malaya student leader has denied writing a letter that a group in the same institution claimed was racist.

Universiti Malaya (UM) Student Representative Council president Afandy Sutrisno Tanjung said someone had maliciously used his name and circulated the letter without his knowledge.

He said he had lodged a police report over the incident.

After the letter came to light last week, a group of UM undergraduates that billed itself as the Gabungan Mahasiswa Sedar issued a press statement and declaration calling for an end to racially-based policies and the divide-and-rule policy.

It also called on the Government to sign the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and to abolish any Acts that affected undergraduates’ freedom of speech and expression.

The group handed the statement to deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Assoc Prof Dr Azarae Idris.

The controversial letter was said to have called on some groups to be prepared for “any eventuality” because of the recent winds of change in the national political scenario and warned them not to allow the country to fall into wrong hands.

When contacted, Assoc Prof Azarae Idris said Afandy had sworn an oath that the controversial statement was not written by him.

“We consider the case closed as the statement was a total fabrication.

“With the use of modern technology, anything is possible,” he said.

He added that he did not see the need for Gabungan Mahasiswa Sedar's statement.

“I do not know who or what is behind this.

“UM has never been racist. We are the most racially-diverse public university,” he said.

Comments (34)

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written by Bigjoe99, April 16, 2008 08:45:14

Yeah right. See why racist are not worth anything. They are bullies and cowards not worth a damned thing. If it was not written by him, the signature sure look real and furthermore, in the same statement, why did he not say he would file a police report and pursue to find/charge the culprit for defamation, a great political opportunity if he was not guilty..

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written by technoboy, April 16, 2008 08:50:39

Our university is breeding racists, that's why it has fallen sharply in world ranking, currently comparable to those in Africa. This is the result of BN's progress.

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written by 1eyecls, April 16, 2008 08:51:48

a 'star' is born,ppl like afandy can be a 'star' for UMNO,just follow the steps of KJ,but unfortunatelly,this is a WRONG timing!

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written by apasalahku, April 16, 2008 08:56:25

“UM has never been racist. We are the most racially-diverse public university,” he said.

Yeah ****ing right!!

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written by PR Msia, April 16, 2008 08:56:58

University Malaya produces cartoonists and not graduates.
The coward man only fit for circus clown's role.
Congrats University Malaya.

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written by malsia1206, April 16, 2008 09:06:44

Case considered closed. Just that simple? And how many days did it take the alleged writer to deny it was a fabrication? The uni has dropped out of her top rankings of past years and now becoming a hub for racial divide? Maybe a training ground for all the young Umnoputras in the making? The manner this issue was apparently handled seems to open the doors for a deluge of similar incidents on the campus. Yeah, we all love our universti Malaya students so much cos this country is pinning our hopes on these brilliant graduates to educate a group of extremists in their lecture halls. All paid by the Government (naturally Barisan), all paid by the rakyat's taxes.

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written by reason, April 16, 2008 09:35:53

typical malaysian attitude. afanday has sworn an oath and denied the accusation, so the case is closed. do the university governors realise that the university's already declining reputation has been tarnished by the very existence of this letter. if afandy didn't write it, who did? who is out to get afandy or the university or both? who wants to foment tension and worse amongst the student body? is the university inadvertently harbouring racist extremists within its student body or worse, its faculty?

instead of sweeping it under the carpet as a closed case, the deputy chancellor should have said that the university is in the process of investigating the matter further because it views such actions as seditious and criminal. it should outline the steps it is taking to dispel any misunderstandings that may have resulted from the letter. it should reiterate its vigilance in the issue of race relations.

but i guess that's really too much to expect from a bunch of pencil pushers and clock watchers.

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written by optimuz, April 16, 2008 09:48:57

err..ok...let's say the guy is telling the truth...

but can anyone verify the authenticity of the stamp of approval from UM??

how did that get there without proper vetting?

UM not racist? Of course it isn't...just the ones who are running it!

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written by loosecannon, April 16, 2008 09:49:15

University authorities in this country have the same " us" and "them" mentality as their Umno political masters. When it comes to "us" wrongdoings, it's simply brushed aside as something irrelevant or downright denial but when it comes to "them" they will leave no stone unturned to mete out the severest punishment.

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written by backs, April 16, 2008 09:50:24

i'm a UM graduate...though neither proud or otherwise about that fact. i'l admit my academic results are my responsibility...but life as student there is uninspiring. it felt more like another level of "schooling" despite more freedom. not sure if it's true for anyone else...or at any other local universities for that matter. just my 2 cents.

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written by menowok, April 16, 2008 10:10:03

Imagine BN won 91% of popular vote and have 2/3 majority in Parliament. I don't think this guy will come out and defend himself.

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written by coolandy, April 16, 2008 10:38:29

Menangguk di air keroh, menjerat di pergentingan.

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written by blacknight220, April 16, 2008 10:52:54

Prof Azarae Idris is another one shit head covering up for another KJ in the making. The more we have this type of ppl around the more havoc they will cause. Prof makan gaji buta. Protecting racist Afandy Sutrisno Tanjung Rambutan. Mesti BN punya orang.

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written by rayfire, April 16, 2008 10:53:14

Strange, kind of reminds me the time some leader said he did not receive bribe and case was closed
So presume I rob the bank and tell the cops I didn't do it , will they let me go?
Emm, should try!
Anyway, we need strong evidence to prove your innocence, which can be done by getting the real culprit!

Please visit http://rayfire-viewpoint.blogspot.com/

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written by Tompios, April 16, 2008 10:57:40

Well, everyone know back in the mid of 80s most local Universities are racist and Islamic base enrollment. If you are non Moslem then you will get 1:8 possibility to get one chair in UM or UKM.

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written by Experienced, April 16, 2008 11:09:40

Most racially-diverse university? My foot. Which public uni has lecturers made up of diverse races to reflect the population of the country. From the mid70's the racial division began. And today the standards. No non-Malay was allowed to come near any post. What a shame? They take non-Malay taxes and use them to destroy opportunities for nons. What a sinful agenda. Who blesses this agenda? Political might makes everything right, be it sinful in any religion or human right declaration. Our BN components were made use of. Let you apply fora lecturer's post and see for yourself!

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written by cruzeiro, April 16, 2008 11:28:08

Poor 'l Sutrisno, So the culprit is now "modern technology" ..... what took you so long to come up with a denial, buddy?

Has the Uni admin come up with the explaination for the seal of approval yet?

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written by whattodo, April 16, 2008 11:28:42

I'm a UM graduate also (1990's). Been observing the decline in the standard of the gr*** churned out by what used to be the "premier" local varsity for the past 10 years. I even interviewed one girl for a job with a CGPA of 3.8 who couldn't converse and understand english properly! What the hell has happened?
Ever since they turned UM into a semi privatised varsity or whatever they call it nowadays. Gone were the days when you don't make the grade your out. Instead they keep these non performing students in maybe for the sake of the fees. The recent drop since 2004 has started since the privatisation days. Now to make it worse not only are they churning not so clever gr***, they churning out racist bigots also. (I'm a malay in case you guys are wondering)

-Frustrated UM alumni-

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written by whattodo, April 16, 2008 11:34:56

On another note... IPTA's should be all about academic excellence. Leave the profit making part to the countless numbers of IPTS's that are mushrooming all over the country.
If these undergr*** don't make the grade kick them out! That should teach these twits a thing or to about their priorities in varsity life.Racist underperforming bigots who study on government loans(PTPTN)!That's our money you idiots!!
ps.Maybe this dude is fishing for a job with KJ n friends

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written by rayden chan, April 16, 2008 11:38:03

Hey idiot Assoc Prof Azarae Idris, trying to cover the story huh??
If the letter is not written by the student leader, im fine with that,
but who's the ****er who approve it?
Tell me!!!

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written by kc respect, April 16, 2008 11:42:30

Dear Whattado, every institution that BN filthy hands touch, it turn into "hangat-hangat tahi ayam". Priority is not quality. Priority is "money come". Project this, project that. Corruption le*** the way. Including but not limited to education. Go to youtube, type "malaysia" in the search. What will pop out??? Racism in our universities. who are they? Pro-UMNO orcs.

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written by mezan, April 16, 2008 12:12:24

There's HEPA seal on that letter. Who would have access to that? Now they think that the public is stupid to believe everything they say. Afandy's oath is useless...

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written by whattodo, April 16, 2008 12:22:54

dear kc,i watched quite some time ago one of the appalling videos of racism in malaysian varsity (UPM to be exact). It was so bad i thought what kind of ****ers are these varsities churning out. Now as it was then the varsity chose to cover it up. These undergr*** should realise you can't have it both ways. If you want to play politics you should be ready to face the consequences be it expulsion of suspension. Varsities should never shield them. They should be made to realise that in the real world everything has its consequences.
The fact that the seal of UM HEPA is on the letter just negates all their (the student n UM's)counter claims of innocence.

As for all the talk about UM climbing up the ranks, I'm having a laugh

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written by whattodo, April 16, 2008 12:23:49

"explusion or suspension" - my bad

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written by tcutcutcu, April 16, 2008 13:01:34

sutrisno? **** off back to indonesia.

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written by devious17, April 16, 2008 13:24:30

I see that the young Anakin has learned well from his masters in umno/bn

An umno/bn trade mark - hit and run like a cowards! Demand retraction of statement when they cant debate with substance, call people ridicilous names, threathen to burn something, acknowledged then blame the media for misconstruing the actual statement, display ignorant arrogance, display violent reaction when the truth is told and many many more

umno brats in uni

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written by Kcc, April 16, 2008 13:31:05

We are the most racially-diverse public university

- this statement doesn't mean that racism is non-existent. It merely shows that there university accepts students from various races.

Malaysia is racially diversed, but check out the racist remarks by politicians and individuals!!!!

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written by parksung, April 16, 2008 14:27:23

It looks like me, sounds like me BUT it is not me LOL

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written by Taikohtai, April 16, 2008 15:20:07

Of course it was not written by him.
I wrote it.
Now are you going to believe me?

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written by RitchieLow, April 16, 2008 16:36:49

Where is the logic ? To harp on Malay unity so that the country does not fall into Malay hands. It's always been under Malay hands and will be so in the future, be not delusional about it. Or is much devious greed involved. If in doubt see RPK's views on the matter http://www.malaysia-today.net/...w/6144/84/

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written by 1st2stay, April 16, 2008 16:47:21

cannot be true. UM is fully and wholly and proudly ISO-certified. Meaning that all processes and procedures are well-documented.

If jokers can take home the seal, and plug it whatever suits them, certification ought to be withdrawn from them. SIRIM, anyone?

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written by budakindia, April 16, 2008 17:45:25

hmmm.. how to be multi racial if most of you are in there? err you are not trying to emulate or trying to imitate other races right? is multi racial means by eating someone else's food and wear other races clothing? oooo how shallow these undergraduates are!

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written by Baronshah, April 17, 2008 04:36:35

Look ppl,
Good Education in this country died in the 80's when OSC and HSC were abolished and replaced with.......whatever you want to call it.

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written by Daryl, April 17, 2008 06:34:42

When contacted, Assoc Prof Azarae Idris said Afandy had sworn an oath that the controversial statement was not written by him.
“We consider the case closed as the statement was a total fabrication.

And we are wondering why our university no longer has the respect. Without much investigation people get off the hook. Politicians get off the hook just as easily as well. Hello, Indonesian student don't you want to know who frame you.

Aha now you can say you are kind hearted because you forgive whoever does this. STUPID ASS Professor and you are wondering why your university got no respect. BALIK KAMPUNG SAJA-LAH.....

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