Opposition’s Double Standards In Aziz Bari Issue Questioned

Datuk Jaafar School Alumni president Datuk Syed Hussien Al-Habshee has asked the opposition to not practice double standards with regards to Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) constitutional law lecturer Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari's suspension.

He said the management and rector of UIAM must be given a chance to resolve the matter and the opposition should refrain from making baseless allegations against the government.

"When the Selangor government sacked three Universiti Selangor (Unisel) staff, following which its Vice Chancellor resigned we did not see any effort on the part of the opposition to defend their fate. Why are they acting like heroes only now," he said today.

Syed Hussien, former Malaysian Ambassador to United Arab Emirates, also questioned the opposition's allegation that there was no academic freedom in the country, asking why did they not bring it up in the Unisel situation.

Abdul Aziz was suspended for seven days from Oct 19 for allegedly contradicting the Sultan of Selangor's statement on the State Religious Department church raid in Damansara Utama on Aug 3.

Syed Hussien advised Abdul Aziz to focus on his career as a constitutional law lecturer by publishing more research papers in international law journals.

"He need not voice his opinions at PAS assemblies or other opposition meetings but should concentrate on being an academician and leave politics to the politicians of the country," he added.