MUCM's Prof Jayakumar to Remain in Role During Legal Battle, University Confirms
Melaka: Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM) has announced that Professor Dr. G. Jayakumar will continue his duties as Vice-Chancellor, despite an ongoing court case. The university's management assures stakeholders that Prof. Jayakumar's position is secure throughout the legal proceedings.
In a statement to The Star on January 22, MUCM emphasized its commitment to fairness and due process. They stated, "The management of MUCM remains dedicated to upholding principles of natural justice and maintaining proper governance. Appropriate institutional processes are in place to ensure the university's continuity, stability, and effective operations."
The court case revolves around an alleged incident where Prof. Jayakumar, then a senior lecturer, is accused of deceiving the former vice-chancellor regarding the appointment of a chief consultant. The charge alleges that Prof. Jayakumar convinced the vice-chancellor to appoint a lecturer from Universiti Perdana Kuala Lumpur as the chief consultant for the Curriculum Programme and Academic Development, despite this appointment violating the individual's employment contract with Universiti Perdana Kuala Lumpur. The alleged deception involved a payment of RM20,000 for the development of an occupational therapy programme module.
This case highlights the importance of transparency and adherence to institutional policies, inviting discussion on the potential consequences of such actions within academic institutions.