In a statement yesterday, Toh said the University of Malaya's "show cause" letter to Associate Professor Dr. Chia Oai Peng of the Department of Chinese Studies, University of Malaya is totally at odds with the university's aim to be a reputable and outstanding centre of learning and called for the immediate withdrawal of the "show cause" letter.
Keng Yaik should inform Cabinet of the great harm the "show-cause" episode has done to Malaysia's reputation in the international academia as well as the national objective to be an international centre of academic excellence.
Keng Yaik should also seek an assurance from the Cabinet that no Minister for Deputy Minister would be allowed in future to misuse his powers and influence in the Education Ministry to interfere with the administration of local universities by directing them to institute disciplinary actions against lecturers for "embarrassing" government leaders by speaking the truth.
I regret that the MCA Deputy Education Minister, Datuk Hon Choon Kim had not responded to my demand on 7th March that he explain why the MCA is using the Education Ministry to victimise and persecute Chia for speaking the truth as the university's "show cause" letter was at the directive of the Education Ministry.
Hon is now given three days to give a satisfactory answer on his role in the scandal over Chia's "show cause" notice, failing which the DAP will organise protest public meetings to mobilise public opinion against such MCA threat to academic freedom and basic human rights of free speech and expression.
(11/3/2001)