2006 must be a year of controversy for Malaysian IPTAs. Apart from the whining and crying during the IPTA intake (in late June 2006), students' attitude and university's stand on several matters are of concern now.

Before we discuss further, we would like to stress our stand on these issues. ==mahasiswa== is definitely not a medium for any kind of propaganda - be it pro-govt or pro-opposition. It's never been our agenda to support any political party for that matters. However, at the same time, ==mahasiswa== could not (and should not) close one eye on controversial issues surrounding IPTA students. Hope we made it very clear now.

While we admit there were some minor incidences in the past which were swept under the carpet, this is not the case this year. So far, it looks like Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) holds the 'record' for being the most mentioned local university in newspapers (both the mainstream papers and online versions of alternative news). UPM has become the most-talked about IPTA now on, probably next only to Universiti Malaya (UM), when it made headlines with lower world ranking.

First, it was a teaching guide (not textbook) on Ethnic Relations that caused a stir. The guide, Basic Concept of Ethnic Relations was debated in The Parliament, local newspapers, online forums and websites. Yet, ==mahasiswa== which comprised by UPM students are puzzled if those who are speaking against the guide actually knows what it is all about or not. Teaching guides have been used in UPM for a very long time and it only means as a guide. Usually it is a collection of information which will be complied by a group of lecturers to be used for lecturing. Based on the information that ==mahasiswa== has obtained, the teaching guide was complied in a hurry without consulting the respective authors for more clarification on their research papers/books. One may argue this is not a reason for anyone to point finger at a particular race for causing a tragedy/ethnic clash, we believe this issue should be looked in a different point. As for the compliers, they were merely doing their job of 'compiling' the information. They are not judging the authors but quoting them as the source. So, the real people who are responsible for the content will be the authors. UPM has published a teaching guide based on published papers and books, should the organization held responsible for this? ==mahasiswa=='s answer will be NO. Too bad that the particular guide has since been taken out of shelf.

Second would be an interesting piece of news which ==mahasiswa== first heard from UPM Makkalz, the issue of ragging in one of the faculty in UPM. Nevertheless, we have take the necessary steps to verify this news. We found mixed opinions and reactions to our queries. Some admit that this unhealthy culture is being practice in the faculty, but some said otherwise. Although those who ragged freshmen have not still be caught red-handed, ==mahasiswa== would like to remind these students of the severity of their actions (if it is proved to be true). The punishment for those who are caught ragging the freshmen will be expulsion, and we certainly do not want to see our Indian students being expelled for this reason. Those with more information on this issue are kindly requested to contact ==mahasiswa== (msiswa@gmail.com).


Third would be the latest video clips of some Malay students who are apparently attacking some Chinese students in a cafeteria in UPM (pic above). Stressing our stand not to be pre-prejudice against any race, we are now conducting our own enquires on this incidence which is being discussed almost in all student (and political) related forums. The video-clips were even made available online. Here we would like to appeal to all the students NOT to make your own conclusion on what expired in the video clips without investigating it further. We will be no different than some pathetic souls out there who have no idea of what this thing about, yet still manage to shoot out comments blindly.

We welcome any clarification on the posted issues. Please kindly forgive us if our remarks hurt anyone. Humiliating others was never been a part of our agenda - bringing out the hidden justice is.