Dear Ms Nicol and Mr. Lapelms,

The below email has been in circulation in Malaysia and I am one of the recipients of this rather uncivilzed email with malicious intend to discredit Curtin University good reputation and question the University’s autonomy and judgement. It is rather appaling to know that it was written by Curtin Alumini, but I do believe he or she does not represent the voice of other Curtin Alumni.

“I am a Malaysian and currently residing in Malaysia and I am apolitical. Lately there has been various malicious attempts to discredit the Prime Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Frankly I am not a fan of hers, nor do I have any political and personal interest towards the Prime Minister and his family. I do feel that the e-mail sent by the irresponsible person is nothing more than a work of someone that has political agenda in mind.
Just because one is a Curtin Alumni and tax payer who is currently residing in Australia, it doesn’t mean that one has every right to do whatever one feels right. I think the Australian government recent and current strict regulation imposed on visa approval and in particular pertaining to immigrant (legal or otherwise) is a very wise decision, since this will ensure the country will rid off such unbecoming characters. The saying goes “You Give Them An Inch, They Walk All Over You” is best befits this scenario if any. God knows, here in this country we continuously facing such ingrate from certain quarter.

All in all, I believe that Curtin University has taken all aspects into consideration to accord the Prime Minister’s wife the said award. Further she has also recently been invited and appointed to be one of the patrons of Women University in Bangladesh that put her in the same league of Cherrie Blair and Hilary Clinton, for championing the issue of women education from the less developed countries. I believe the invition was personally conver to her by Cherrie Blair, during one of her official visits to London not long ago. She is also very passionate with children education programme, under the Permata Program and has been invited regularly to share her thoughts and idea in other countries particularly in the Middle East. No one is perfect in this world, but what differentiates one from the rest is what effort or good deed that one has contributed to make this world a better place to live. On this note, it makes me wonder whether what has the author of the email done in his or her own personal capacity other than paying taxes in this respect.

Thank you and Kind Regards ”

Here is the Uni’s response:

“Thank you for sending the open letter to Curtin University regarding the honorary award conferred on Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor on Saturday 11 February 2012. I appreciate the letter’s thoughtful and considered approach to this contentious matter.
The University accepts that the decision to make this award has attracted criticism from some sections of the Malaysian community. We also accept that our use of the term ‘First Lady’ has offended some people, and we regret this. Whilst not wishing to debate that issue further, but in order to avoid further controversy, we will no longer use that term and have reissued our original media release.

Allegations have been made that the University, or myself personally, have gained financially from this award. These allegations are absolutely untrue.
In response to your specific questions:

1. How was Rosmah’s contribution to education evaluated? Was there an objective task panel set up to review this?

The honorary doctorate was awarded for Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor’s contribution to early childhood education and development in Malaysia. The nomination was assessed in accordance with University policy. A formal nomination was submitted and considered by the relevant committees.

2. How was Rosmah’s contribution to the advancement of women evaluated?
A reference to the doctorate also being awarded for contribution to the advancement of women was included in our original media statement in error. This has been removed from the revised version of the statement posted on 16 February.

3. How much of an involvement in early childhood education centres entitles one to an honorary doctorate?

The process is not competitive; all nominees are considered on their own merits.

The nomination form provides information for the University committees to consider, including the candidate’s contributions to the University or the higher education sector generally, contribution to a relevant discipline or branch of learning, and service to the country or to professional and public life. A candidate does not need to meet all of these criteria to be considered for an honorary award. A copy of their curriculum vitae is also obtained to assist the committees in their deliberations.

It is recognised that the Permata centres are government funded. Nonetheless, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor’s involvement has helped ensure their success and the expansion of the initiative. The award recognises the contribution this initiative makes to the education of the many children who attend the centres, and ultimately to the broader Malaysian community through the development of human capital.

4. How do the current Curtin PhD scholars feel about this?

I am unable to comment on the views of doctoral students and graduates specifically. Curtin acknowledges that there are a range of views on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Jeanette Hacket
Vice-Chancellor ”

Note; Still the Dapsters are not happy with the response

Thank you for sending the open letter to Curtin University regarding the honorary award conferred on Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor on Saturday 11 February 2012. I appreciate the letter’s thoughtful and considered approach to this contentious matter.

The University accepts that the decision to make this award has attracted criticism from some sections of the Malaysian community. We also accept that our use of the term ‘First Lady’ has offended some people, and we regret this. Whilst not wishing to debate that issue further, but in order to avoid further controversy, we will no longer use that term and have reissued our original media release.

Allegations have been made that the University, or myself personally, have gained financially from this award. These allegations are absolutely untrue.

In response to your specific questions:

1. How was Rosmah’s contribution to education evaluated? Was there an objective task panel set up to review this?

The honorary doctorate was awarded for Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor’s contribution to early childhood education and development in Malaysia. The nomination was assessed in accordance with University policy. A formal nomination was submitted and considered by the relevant committees.

2. How was Rosmah’s contribution to the advancement of women evaluated?

A reference to the doctorate also being awarded for contribution to the advancement of women was included in our original media statement in error. This has been removed from the revised version of the statement posted on 16 February.

3. How much of an involvement in early childhood education centres entitles one to an honorary doctorate?

The process is not competitive; all nominees are considered on their own merits.

The nomination form provides information for the University committees to consider, including the candidate’s contributions to the University or the higher education sector generally, contribution to a relevant discipline or branch of learning, and service to the country or to professional and public life. A candidate does not need to meet all of these criteria to be considered for an honorary award. A copy of their curriculum vitae is also obtained to assist the committees in their deliberations.

It is recognised that the Permata centres are government funded. Nonetheless, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor’s involvement has helped ensure their success and the expansion of the initiative. The award recognises the contribution this initiative makes to the education of the many children who attend the centres, and ultimately to the broader Malaysian community through the development of human capital.

4. How do the current Curtin PhD scholars feel about this?

I am unable to comment on the views of doctoral students and graduates specifically. Curtin acknowledges that there are a range of views on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Jeanette Hacket

Vice-Chancellor

MAIFORUMcadangan/pendapatnama ke 37833.

Lagi ramai, lagi bagus. Selalunya mereka akan buat rencana khas kalau ramai yang complain benda yang sama terutama tentang isu semasa.

:D sarah

I hope other readers will just e-mail a short note to Utusan. TQ.

STAR = Saya Tetap Akan Resis :))

:D sarah

Annexe Gallery on Arts for grabs event on its web, talk about apa cina mahu as if it is a myth, The latest Timeout KL also the same, blaming Utusan Malaysia as if putting up a mere slander.

The Chinese should not be scared of anything, they should be the lansi kakis that they are and walk tall about the Tsunami Cina! The pretence and hypocrisy is nauseating to say the least.

So much denial, back to back is not gonna work guys!