Professor sacked for criticism

Professor sacked for criticism

MALAYSIA: A Malaysian political science professor who frequently criticized government leaders and policies said on Friday the public university where he works sacked him without giving a reason.

Ramasamy Palanisamy, who has worked at the government-funded National University of Malaysia for 25 years, told reporters he was victimized for being outspoken.

"I speculate that my public role in writing and speaking on political and social issues such as the lack of democratic space, (and) the plight of the Indian community" led to the dismissal, said Ramasamy, a minority ethnic Indian.

Ramasamy's views and analysis are often sought by the international media. But his blunt criticism of government leaders on issues such as corruption and abuse of power are often shut out of the tightly controlled mainstream media of this Southeast Asian country.

Malaysia's public universities do not have a tenure system for professors. Instead, they work until retirement at the age of 55, and are subsequently hired on a two-year contract, renewable monthly. Ramasamy had begun the contract period in June. -- AP