26th October 2018
REBUTTAL TO THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY UPNM RELATING TO SEXUAL ABUSE AND PLAGIARISM
Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) refers to a report by Malaysiakini dated 25th October stating that the National Defence University (UPNM) had issued an official statement ‘denying any wrongdoing in its handling of an alleged plagiarism case three years ago’. Earlier, there has also been a report by Malaysiakini dated 20th October of sexual abuse upon students by lecturers. UPNM official statement is noted to have gone viral in various chat groups.
The official statement is nothing but a white wash riddled with half truth.
The court case which UPNM official statement referred to does not deal with the plagiarism case. It was a private defamation suit which is still on going. To refer to the case and to imply that the issue has been settled by the court is an irresponsible and deceitful manipulation of the fact which we believe is deliberately done to deceive the public. It is also subjudice to the trial and constitutes an act of contempt of the court. UPNM has an obligation to explain in detail why it has decided to refer to this case.
Patriot has been informed that the documents tendered by the plaintiff in the private defamation suit against UPNM would sufficiently substantiate the allegation that plagiarism has been committed by the student, and the university has deliberately covered it up. Rather than coming up with the official statement which does not specifically provide any evidence to rebut the allegation, UPNM should allow and welcome the investigation by MOE, especially if the university feels that they have nothing to hide.
Patriot views plagiarism in institutions of higher learning as a serious matter, and an allegation of a cover up in the two cases i.e. sexual abuse and plagiarism by UPNM if not handled in a truthful and professional manner will place the university in bad light.
BG Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji (Rtd)
President, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
(PPM-005-14-22052017)
www.patriotkebangsaan.org.my
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