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PETALING JAYA (June 29, 2009) : A former Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) law lecturer says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin has contradicted his ministry’s stand on "marks-fixing".

"He says marks-fixing by universities is unacceptable and should be investigated. I have a letter from the ministry saying otherwise," said Yasmin Noor, who had alleged that she was victimised and pressured to quit after refusing to pass students who had failed her course.

On Thursday, at the opening of the annual National Higher Education Conference, Khaled said: "I think any attempt to fix marks is unacceptable. We cannot accept such things because it is against professionalism.

"We hope, if there is any complaint over such matters, an investigation will be conducted by the relevant university."

Yasmin said: "I complained to the ministry after I was victimised in June 2008 but the ministry only gave its reply in February 2009.

"The ministry had responded in favour of Usim, despite me clearly detailing the harassment in USIM.

"I had complained that a senior shouted at me, accusing me of being a failure and that I should leave as I am not suitable to teach in Usim."

Yasmin, who was with USIM’s law faculty, said she only received a letter from the ministry in February which upheld the university’s decision on altering and giving passing grades to her failed students.

The letter states: "The Usim Senate acted correctly in its capacity as the highest authority in academic affairs and has the right to request that a student’s marks be reassessed. There was no wrongdoing on the part of USIM."

"I, therefore, challenge the minister’s statement and stand on marks-fixing being unacceptable. I also never got to meet the person whom I complained to in the first place, Department of Higher Education director-general Datuk Radin Umar, what more the minister.

"I was also not notified that the matter was being investigated prior to my resignation on Dec 18, 2008.

"Why did they not tell me about this before I resigned, otherwise I would not have quit. Why didn’t they tell me about the letter until February 2009," she asked.