Via Malaysiakini:
Malaysiakini columnist Dr Azly Rahman has been slapped with a legal notice by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) demanding for a public apology over the articles he has penned.
The notice, dated July 5, was issued by legal firm Azam Aziz & Co.
Azly, who was sacked from UUM in December 2004 for refusing to sign the Surat Akujanji (the loyalty pledge which binds civil servants), was accused of writing slanderous articles with the aim of tarnishing UUM’s reputation.
“We want you to tender a public apology to our client (UUM) and you are also reminded to immediately stop your slanderous writings in whatever websites and other mediums.
“If you refuse, or are negligent and ignore this notice, we have been given clear instructions by our client to file a legal suit against you, which will also include seeking an injunction to stop you from writing any slanderous articles.”
The Akujanji is nonsense of the lowest quality. The kind of thing that makes Malaysia the stuff of ridicule.
KeADILan’s Dr. Syed Husin Ali and Dr. Lim Teck Ghee have recently started a petition to abolish the Akujanji.
I salute the decision of Dr. Azly and his wife in refusing to sign this document, and I’m appalled that he has been made the latest target in this internet witch hunt. Writing against this moronic law is the furthest thing imaginable from slander, libel or defamation.
We’re standing with you, sir.
If the university goes ahead to litigate, I hope the Bar Council could step in to offer assistance. Failing which, all bloggers who support Freedom of Speech and believe in our Constitutional Rights should come together to help Dr Azly to defend his position. Now it’s the time to tell the world we stand together, sans race and creed.
Signed
[...] Also other attack news by Malaysiakini , Nathaniel Tan , Mob’s Crib , [...]
have a petition at http://www.PetitionOnline ( or other medium) requesting UUM to withdraw this threat. For a university which uses the threat of libel as a silencer is disgraceful as it goes against its own grain of being open minded in knowledge seeking.
There’s apparently a hit list going around with names of prominent bloggers in the great, gangly SIL’s crosshairs. things are heating up things are heating up!!!
This guy Azly Rahman is telling only his side of the story. He continues to sidestep his “shortcomings”, which is one of the major reasons why he was fired.
He failed to complete his studies despite being provided 4 extensions of his scholarship by UUM. There will aways be a limit to how long a student can continue to pursue his studies without completing it.
By some accounts, he took 7 years to complete his Ed.D (doctor of education) and by some others that it was actually 9 years.
Azly should clear this part of the story for all. How long did it take him to complete his studies?
Each of these scholarship contracts will have a limit. Azly signed the agreement on his free will, not with a gun to his head.
Now, he doesnt want to keep his side of the deal. Of course he has the right to not return, or to serve the country.
However, if he decides to break the agreement, he has to do it the right way:
1) pay the money back, or
2) negotiate with UUM to find a solution,
instead of going on a crusade with his sad stories about being victimized by UUM and the aku janji issue. The aku janji pledge certainly need to be abolished, and Azly is right to fight for its end.
However, he needs to remember that he has put two of his guarantors (possibly family members, or family friends) on the firing line. These guarantors are now going through the agony of facing legal action for something they did not directly benefit from.
The guarantors don’t deserve to go through the wrath of UUM just because Azly wants to satisfy his ego to make up for his inability to complete his studies.
More discussions on this topic:
1)http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/azly.php?itemid=7356#nucleus_cf
2)http://educationmalaysia.blogspot.com/2007/08/support-for-dr-azly-rahman-and-dr.html
Many local students dream of getting such scholarships for studying overseas. This guy received full funding for his studies, including living expenses for his accompanying family.
Instead of completing his studies successfully, he is whining and asking for more despite been given at least 4 extensions to his scholarship.
How much more does he want?
It’s taxpayers’ money that was spent. Either the money is returned directly, or he should find a solution by negotiating with UUM instead of posting stories about being victimized.
What’s the difference with this guy and a corrupt local VIP who’s absconded tax payers’ $$$ and then comes up with a hard-life story when caught with his pants down?
Have some integrity Azly.
Wah this guy so terror. He got all his fees and living expenses paid for by the gvt and yet failed to complete his studies.
After that, still want to bit the hands that feed him? From other sites it says the Dr is an adjunct faculty at some small college called Farleigh college in New Jersey.
If he claims to be so good (yes I noticed he put so mch effort to stress how good he is), why cannot full time job in a proper university in US? Dont have to be Columbia lah, can be New York uni or any other decent uni. Only adjuct position. Whats wrong? Also, why take 9 years to complete EdD?
One more thing described on other blog is that Dr started his EdD in his 40s (or late 30s). Why so late? Late developer kah?
Busy making babies and enjoying life kah? That explains his struggle with his studies. Must have been makan angin using our money loh.
I also noticed this guy likes to insist to be called “Dr” Azly Rahman in all his posting and blogs.
Wah, sounds like trying to make up for his inferiority complex. Like so desperate to get respect one. Mmm, its a familiar problem with local uni people.
Haiyah, what’s the big deal?
A PhD is like a dime a dozen out there esp in the US. Most of them work as technicians in the Uni. This Dr is an adjunct and not even a full time appointment.
There are lots of revelations about this guy Azly at the following site:
http://educationmalaysia.blogspot.com/2007/08/reiterating-my-support-for-dr-azly-and.html#1290886007852127530
For those who think he’s an angel, read the comments posted there.