MONDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER – The ‘Walk-A-Payung’ campaign which was participated by more than 4,000 people at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently was able to raise awareness to the society about Lupus.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah said the Systemic Lupus Eritmatosus (SLE) or Lupus was not a disease which was often heard but was now estimated to affect more than 5 million people worldwide.

“The study by the Malaysian SLE Association found that more than 10,000 people is diagnosed with this disease. We believe there are still many others who suffer from this disease but has not been confirmed because each patient has different symptoms whether mild, moderate or severe, and this symptoms can come and go,” he said.

He was speaking during the official opening ceremony of the Lupus Awareness Day and the ‘Walk-A-Payung’ Campaign at Dewan Canselor (Chancellor Hall) UMS.

According to Datuk Harun scientists and doctors around the world still do not know the exact cause of the disease until now.

However, he said that the study showed that it was hereditary, genetic and other factors such as environmental such as exposure to sunlight, hormone, stress and germ infection was the risk cause of this disease.

Also present were the Medical Advisor SLE Sabah Chapter, Dr. Eleen Chong; Chairman of the programme, No’man Haji Ahmad and a lecturer with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences UMS, Dr. Malehah Mohd. Noh. – MA (fl)


Photo: Ernest Berinus


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department


 

MONDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER – Sabah and Sarawak will not find it easy to be separated from Malaysia after undergoing various progress and development under the present government.

This was stated by the Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan at the Bicara Tokoh Programme held at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently.

He said Sabah had now grown into a developed state where its people can enjoy a wide range of development and progress brought about by the federal government.

“Therefore, Republic of Sabah or People’s Republic of Sabah is a romantic dream and sounds good but in my opinion it is not just emotional talk and facts alone.

“It is not easy for Sabah to rescind from Malaysia because they only know to say leave, after that who will care for us; the army, our economy, international relations, inflation and our standing in the world,” he said.

About 400 UMS community attended the talk which was presented by Datuk Abdul Rahman who was also the Member of Parliament of Kota Belud. Also present was the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah. – SS (fl)


Source: BERNAMA


Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department
 

MONDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) never prohibit or prevent its students from expressing their views and intentions.

Hence, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah vehemently denied when a university official in a local newspaper recently alledged that 100 students have been dismissed for being vocal in speaking their views and struggles.

“The university has always been open to hear any complaints or concerns raised by students. We also encourage students to debate through public lecture that is beneficial, to improve their soft-skills,” he further added.

Describing the allegations as baseless and more of a sabotage, Datuk Harun said any issues and problems involving students will be tried by the Law and Discipline Division of UMS and the university will not dismiss its students indiscriminately.

“I regret the statement by the officer and I believe he or she has his or her own agenda. This statement is not relevant and I am extremely embarrassed if the said officer who declined to be named is a staff of UMS who proudly utter such seditious and anti-unity statement,” he stressed.

Datuk Harun however did not rule out the possibility that there were students who had committed offence and referred through AUKU and had since received their sentence after hearing.

“The sentence is in the form of semester suspension or suspension in staying in the residential college, and not dismissed from the university. We convict them according to AUKU, its rules and regulations stated in UMS after they were proven to be guilty. But it is not the final decision because we will give them chance to appeal,” he said, describing the sentence as UMS’ effort to raise awareness and consciousness.

He also said that the perpetrator would be investigated as it was seen to be an attempt to discredit the university. – SS (fl)



Media and Citra Division
Chancellery Department