PUTRAJAYA, June 15 — The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is considering legal action over what it described as unfounded allegations by Jitra assemblyman Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah concerning the public university admission system.

In a statement today, the ministry said it was reviewing appropriate legal avenues to safeguard the integrity of MOHE, public universities and the country’s higher education system against slander and baseless accusations.

It said Haim Hilman had made allegations, including claims that public universities were ‘selling places meant for our children to those with money’ and that tens of thousands of students had entered public higher education institutions through a ‘back door’.

The latest instance involved a video of his speech posted on Facebook following a public ceramah held in conjunction with the Negeri Sembilan state election campaign on June 13.

“Such allegations are not only serious, but also have the potential to undermine the reputation and credibility of the country’s higher education system, including public universities, university management, government officials and thousands of students who entered through legitimate admission channels.

“It must be stressed that this is not the first time Haim Hilman made such allegations against MOHE,” the ministry said.

MOHE said it remained open to constructive, fact-based criticism, but any allegations that could erode public confidence in the country’s higher education institutions must be supported by strong evidence.

The ministry added that it would not allow any party to irresponsibly tarnish the reputation of the country’s education institutions through unsubstantiated allegations without being held accountable for their statements. — Bernama