Unisel V-C quits over sackings

Unisel V-C quits over sackings

By A. RUBAN
ruban_22@thestar.com.my

SHAH ALAM: Universiti Industri Selangor (Unisel) president and vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Rosti Saruwono has resigned following the sacking of three senior officers by the university's management.

The resignation was said to be a protest against the sacking of Prof Dr Khalifah Othman (Business Faculty Dean), Rokmah Mat (Registrar) and Halid Hasbullah (Marketing director).

Dr Rosti's shocking decision was made known during a staff meeting, which was hurriedly called at 3pm yesterday, forcing lecturers to cancel their classes.

“Yes, it is true. I have tendered my resignation effective today (yesterday).

“The reason is, I am not willing to implement a decision which I deem inappropriate and against the concept of fairness and justice, namely to remove three officers of Unisel without giving reasons and not following due process,” he said in an SMS reply, shortly after his resignation was announced.

According to a source, three deputy vice-chancellors and a vice-president had submitted a memorandum to the state government on May 16, saying that four senior officers, including Dr Rosti, had been involved in corrupt practices.

Following the memorandum, Dr Rosti was called up by the Selangor government to explain the allegations made against him.

At that time, the source said, the state government was also conducting its own internal probe into the matter, which resulted in Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim ordering the sacking of Dr Khalifah, Rokmah and Halid while Dr Rosti was given the green light to stay on.

“Dr Rosti called it unfair and full of malice because the three officers were not given a chance to defend themselves,” the source said.

When asked to comment on allegations that he was probed for corrupt practices, Dr Rosti said via SMS:

“Corrupt practices? Ha! Ha! Ha!”