-M. Kulasegaran, February 27, 2017.

Professor Dr Norlidah should be immediately suspended pending the outcome of the University’s investigation into the racist remarks allegation made against her

Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan has revealed that Universiti Malaya has formed a five-member panel to investigate Prof. Dr. Norlidah for allegedly making racist and demeaning remarks against two Indian students.

Kamalanathan said he has contacted the vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin, for clarification and was informed that as an immediate action, the university has formed a 5 member panel to investigate the allegation. Dr Mohd Amin also said that upon completion of the investigation the university will issue a public statement on its findings and decisions made.

( https://www.beritadaily.com/um-to-probe-lecturer-for-alleged-racist-remark/)

I welcome the University’s swift and necessary response to the complaint.

There must be zero tolerance for racist insult especially in a university and if the allegation is found to be true, severe disciplinary actions must be taken against her.

However, to show that the University views the complaint with utmost seriousness and that any racist insult is not acceptable, the Education Faculty Masters programme Professor, Prof Dr Norlidah should be immediately suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

The following is the viral face book message, which contains the students’ complaint against Dr Norlidah.

Without being racist many people cannot live in Malaysia

17th February 2017 at 3.05 PM

Research in Curriculum Development by Prof Dr Norlidah at Faculty of Education

I would like to lodge a complain upon your lecturer, Prof. Dr. Norlidah.

My friend Rinishah and I rushed to class taking time off from work, as we step into the class we greeted Prof Norlidah and proceeded walking towards our seats. As we were about to sit, she abruptly said ‘India, saya tak suka India duduk bersama-sama.

Jangan bawa budaya UNITAR kesini. India duduk sama-sama lepas itu akan tiru assignment dan plagiarise. Saya kenal India.’ she then continued saying to me, ‘You, baju merah, duduk depan sekarang.’ subsequently said to my friend ‘you duduk sana’. Prof Norlidah further said, ‘Saya akan pastikan awak dan kawan awak tak akan dapat kumpulan sama untuk buat assignment. Saya tahu India macam mana.’

At this time, I was infuriated by her racist remarks towards me and my friend; I did NOT expect this from a well-educated person especially a person whose title is ’Professor’. She did not stop, she was merciless as she proceeded to insult other indian students. How would the wawasan 2020 be fulfilled if we have educators like this in ’Malaysia’s Top Public University’?

She went on defending her atrocious behaviour by confessing that this is her style and proceeded to encourage student to not promote UM to anyone else as she prefers her class to be smaller in number.

This wasn’t first time we had experienced this lowly behaviour of hers;on our orientation day, we met Prof Norlidah along with other two possible lecturers for a session with the faculty. Her first words were indeed hurtful and demotivating ‘Do you think you can do Masters with just 2 years experience? You and your friends can never graduate together, I challenge you. You do your business and I will do my business.’ her words crushed our eager selves who thirsted for knowledge.

I’ve never been more insulted in my life before until recently by your lecturer. Never did I came across someone with a PhD who could act despicably rude. It is a shame that such lecturer/former student hail from “Malaysia’s Top Public University”. It is important to remember that respect does not come with papers and titles but attitude. She lost the respect before gaining one. Such arrogance and racism from someone who should be an inspiration.

Let me remind you that we are paying to be here, she has no rights to insult us as such. Actions could be taken. She had hurt me and my friend emotionally.

I demand for an apology from her for the damage she had done to my reputation. If no action is taken from your side, I will not hesitate to bring this matter to the media.

(https://thecoverage.my/news/malaysian-lecturer-trouble-making-racist-comments-indian-students-class/)

Professor’s like this are misfits academicians who endangers peace and tranquility in our multi racial society. The question is, is she the only Professor /lecturer of this character? She should be suspended and even removed permanently from teaching!

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