The union’s spiritual, cultural and diversity secretary Ong Yue Lin said the university has not shared any updates with the union following a meeting with UM’s integrity unit on Dec 27 last year.
“During the meeting, we were told that the results of the investigation would be released in two months,” Ong told FMT. “After the two-month period, we emailed the integrity unit on Feb 25, but did not receive any reply from them.”
She said the union has since tried to schedule a follow-up meeting, but to no avail. In response to FMT’s queries, UM’s integrity unit said FMT would be informed of any developments or official statements on the matter.
In December, university students and civil society had called for the immediate suspension of the professor, a thorough investigation of the allegations, and for reforms to UM’s sexual harassment policies.
The demands were made in a memorandum by UM Feminism Club president Chin Jes Weng and UM gender studies master’s graduate spokesman S Indramalar which was supported by 27 NGOs.
UM announced on Dec 23 that the professor had been suspended. Earlier this year, UM denied reports that the professor was still visiting the campus.
However, Ong said there have been claims that the professor has been sighted on campus.
Indramalar said the university must be transparent on whether the professor had indeed sent nude pictures of himself, and what actions were taken against him.
“We also want to know what measures UM is taking to ensure campus safety, whether the existing reporting mechanisms are sufficient, or if amendments are needed to make students feel safer when coming forward,” she said.
“There should also be efforts to educate students on what to do if harassment occurs, who they can turn to for support, and what actually constitutes harassment.”
Feminist club secretary Yap Wen Jiun said many victims of sexual harassment were afraid of retaliation, in the belief that the system was more likely to protect the professor.
“Without disclosure of the investigation’s progress, rumours can easily spread and pressure victims into silence,” she said.