PETALING JAYA: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad has again defended the appointment of a 26-year-old performing arts graduate into Universiti Malaya’s (UM) board of directors despite the continuing criticism levelled against him.
She added that she personally scrutinised the list of proposed members from the alumni of the university by looking at the criteria available before Danesh Raj Nagarajan (pic) was chosen for the post.
“Danesh Rai is an active alumni. I was given a list and looked at the criteria available, so the Higher Education Ministry appointed a former student who represented the alumni.
“We must give them the opportunity because they can help the university. We have the board, community representatives, senate, various categories for the young people to speak out and craft various related programmes,” Bernama quoted her as saying during an event in Bagan Datuk yesterday.
Noraini also said the appointment will raise the voices of young people to a higher level.
Danesh Raj has insisted that his appointment was non-political in nature and cited his active participation in the UM student body as one of the reasons he was chosen for the post.
He added that one of his biggest achievements during his time at the university was organising the country’s first university-based food pantry called Food Pantry Sekretariat Presiden Kolej Universiti Malaya (Send Free Food to Poor Students on Campus).
“The Higher Education Minister (Noraini) wanted someone young to be on the board.
“They needed someone to bridge the gap between the alumni and the students, and to understand what’s going on in campus,” he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini yesterday.
The announcement on his appointment was made by UM on Monday.
On Wednesday, Noraini told the Dewan Rakyat that the appointment of Danesh was made through proper channels and to represent the varsity’s alumni.
It was also made based on his active involvement in programmes and student activities throughout his course of study.
“Until now, he still contributes to alumni activities. His appointment is a form of appreciation to the young people as well as providing him an opportunity to contribute to UM from the perspective of the alumni itself.
“We also want to see direct contributions from the younger generation in terms of organisational leadership at the national level, especially at public universities.
“The proposal for his selection has been brought to my attention in a professional manner,” she said in her winding-up speech on behalf of her ministry on the 12th Malaysia Plan.
However, critics alleged that strings were pulled as he was previously an aide to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Azalina, the former deputy speaker at the Dewan Rakyat, has also rubbished the allegations, saying she had been unaware of the appointment until it was announced.
Danesh Raj also insisted that his appointment has nothing to do with Azalina.
The former Perdana Fellow said Azalina was equally surprised by his appointment to their alma mater’s board of directors.
On the accusation that he is an MIC Youth member, Danesh Raj said he only engaged with Putera MIC because of his student activism work while studying at UM, and stressed that he has no position in the party.
He added that he did do some paid work for the MIC.
Danesh Raj also said he is not discouraged by the criticism against him, including his age.
As a member of the UM board of directors, he said he will look into helping to improve the employability of UM graduates and play a check-and-balance role within the university’s management.
In a statement on Thursday, the UM Students’ Union (KMUM) said UM was no place for political appointees.
It said although Danesh is a Perdana Fellow and an assistant Fellow at his college, there should be be efforts to search for more competent candidates, especially after considering factors such as academic meritocracy, industry experience, gender equality, and other factors.
It added that his involvement in politics has brought his appointment into question.
The Malaysian Academic Movement (Gerak) also questioned his political links.