In a statement, UiTM vice-chancellor Roziah Mohd Janor maintained that the university prioritised the welfare of its students and acknowledged that the lecturer involved had made “sensitive” comments.

“The university has studied the issue and taken swift and appropriate action against the lecturer, Roziah said without stating the nature of the action taken.

“UiTM also stresses it will not compromise with any parties who try to tarnish UiTM’s reputation, whether intentionally or not.

“UiTM understands the difficulties and situations faced by students in learning online. The university has also prepared various funds for underprivileged students to get the required aid for their studies,” she said.

Roziah urged students facing any issue to get in touch with the university and their respective faculties for aid.

Earlier, the lecturer drew brickbats from netizens after she was seen admonishing a student – whose face was not displayed on the screen – for using a smartphone for his online lesson.

When asked why he didn’t have a laptop, the student replied that his father had no job and that his mother was “not around anymore”.

“If you have a sister and she has a gold bracelet, tell her to sell that and buy you a computer. You can’t learn properly because you have no computer,” the lecturer told the student.

“This is the fifth semester and you still don’t have a computer? I would rather just have five pieces of clothes… A computer is very, very important. It’s just RM800, what’s your problem?”