Two prominent senior professors in the country believe that disbanding the National Professors Council (MPN) would be a step in the right direction, highlighting its lack of purpose, wasteful use of public funds, and the disrepute it has brought to other professors.
Datuk Dr Omar Shawkataly, an Adjunct Professor from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Faculty of Science, said many prominent professors in the country, including him, never really understood the need for the council, from the time of its inception in 2010.
“What is the real purpose and intent of setting up MPN? If it is supposed to act as a think tank and advise the government, we must ask ourselves if they have been fulfilling that role,” said Omar.
“Many of those in MPN do not appear to be real thinkers like the late (Royal Professor) Ungku Abdul Aziz (Ungku Abdul Hamid), Syed Hussein Alatas, (Datuk Dr) KJ Ratnam, and (Tan Sri Dr Mohd) Kamal Hassan, to name a few. In fact, over the years, the views of some of those within MPN have come under ridicule,” he said.
Omar’s comments come on the heels of the recent Auditor General’s Report, which revealed irregularities, including the misuse of funds, and an increase in the MPN chairman’s allowances, without getting ministerial approval. Last week, the Public Accounts Committee recommended that the Prime Minister’s Department assess whether the council is still relevant as a key driver of academic expertise in the country. Its chairman, Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said if the council is to be retained it should be placed under the higher education ministry.
In August this year, MPN’s president, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Raduan Che Rose was charged with seven counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM271,000 of the council’s money. He claimed trial to the charges. Raduan was accused of using his official capacity to channel the funds to MPN Global Reach Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, Professor Datuk Dr Kefli Mahbol.
Omar, a prominent figure in the academic arena with over 30 years in the fields of Chemistry and Health and Safety, revealed that many professors in the country had distanced themselves from MPN since its inception.
“When MPN was set up, it was claimed that every professor in the country was a member. But how can that be when we did not sign up, or pay a membership fee? Who gave them the mandate to represent us?” Omar asked.
“I and many of us did not join, nor did we apply to become members. Many have stayed away, and some had also submitted letters saying they wanted to withdraw and not be associated with MPN,” he said.
In 2010, then Higher Education minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said 1,426 professors from all public universities in the country would come together under MPN to provide their academic and professional input in various areas. Mohamed Khaled also said experts in MPN were required specifically to help the government in its New Economic Model and National Transformation Plan.
Asked about his reluctance to be associated with MPN, Omar said MPN was not giving input that reflected the standards of Malaysian intellectuals and academia.
“Now people are ridiculing the council, and members of the public think we are all in this together,” he said.
Omar also pointed out that MPN was registered as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act.
“Who is guaranteeing them… the government? People want to know. If you are an association of professors, then you should set up an association. But this is not the case. It is a company, yet they are drawing public funds.
“The council is also parked under the Prime Minister’s Department, and not the Higher Education Ministry. Why is this so? There are just so many issues that require answers,” he said.
Records show that the council had received grants from the government totalling RM35.84 million from 2015 to 2018, and in 2022 and 2023. For the record, the council was disabanded in 2018 during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s second stint as Prime Minister.
“RM35 million is a huge sum. It can be used to help the public, including building healthcare facilities. Yet we are seeing reports of misuse of funds, and payments being made without approval,” he said.
“As a fellow professor, we are seeing the council being dragged and investigated by the Public Accounts Committee. These people are supposed to represent intellects? This is why it should be disbanded.
“We are embarrassed by the council. They have tarnished our reputation by not acting responsibly. They lack integrity and are misusing public funds. The public will think that all professors are crooks!”
Omar said there were many associations, bodies, and non-governmental organisations whose members comprised professors, and the government could tap into their expertise.
“We have the Academy of Professors Malaysia, the Vice-Chancellor Council, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, and even the Malaysian Academic Movement (Gerak). All these bodies do not get funding from taxpayers’ money and yet can still advise the government,” he added.
Prominent academician Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin said MPN was nothing more than “a glorified body, basking in their intellectual pretence.”
“This organisation has not done much academically. It is just bits and pieces with a political overtone,” said Mohamed Ghouse, who is attached to Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Arts.
“It has not acted as a check and balance when it comes to government policies. It also does not promote an academic or intellectual agenda, and is only serving the Prime Minister’s Department.”
Mohamed Ghouse said MPN should be disbanded as it was a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“We do not need an organisation that only serves its partisan agenda,” he added.
