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Rakyat Post
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Rakyat Post
[Watch] Perfect Students Rejected By University of Malaya, Then Offered RM500K Alternative
Subscribe to our FREE MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has issued a direct challenge to the University of Malaya (UM) to provide transparent data on its dual admission system, following allegations that academically excellent students are being rejected through merit-based pathways only to be offered the same degree at significantly higher fees. The controversy centres on UM's two admission routes for its Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme: the traditional UPU (Unit Pusat Universiti) pathway with fees of approximately RM15,000 for the entire five-year programme, and the SATU (Sistem Aplikasi Terpusat Universiti Awam) pathway with fees of RM500,000 – a 33-fold difference for the same qualification. During a press conference, Wee presented what he described as documented cases of students with perfect academic records – including those with a 4.0 CGPA – being rejected through the UPU merit-based system, only to subsequently receive offers through the SATU pathway, which requires payment of 'hundreds of thousands' of ringgit. 'I have received complaints accompanied by clear evidence,' Wee stated, challenging UM officials to 'answer directly to this question' without using 'flowery language.' The MCA leader and Ayer Hitam MP specifically asked whether there are students who failed through the UPU pathway but were offered admission through the SATU pathway, with the condition of paying hundreds of thousands. 'What Kind of Meritocracy?' – UM's Defence vs Merit Concerns UM has The university maintains that UPU students continue to receive substantial government subsidies, with fees remaining at approximately RM15,000 for the entire programme. University representatives have characterised some of the circulating information as 'misleading' and emphasised that the fee structure differences reflect the varying levels of government subsidy between the two pathways. Wee has specifically questioned whether the current arrangement serves the interests of lower and middle-income families (B40 and M40 groups) who traditionally rely on merit-based public university admissions. 'What kind of meritocracy is this?' Wee asked, positioning the controversy as a fundamental challenge to Malaysia's educational equity principles. MCA Demands Full Transparency, Calls for Program Suspension The MCA President has made several specific demands: Release of detailed admission statistics for both UPU and SATU pathways Clarification on the number of students entering through each route Explanation of the criteria used for rejecting merit-based applications Transparency regarding the relationship between UPU rejections and subsequent SATU offers Wee has also called for the The controversy has raised questions about the accessibility of quality medical education in Malaysia, particularly given the country's ongoing need for healthcare professionals. Critics argue that the significant fee differential could create a two-tier system where family wealth, rather than academic merit, becomes a determining factor in accessing medical education at the nation's premier university. Thank You Madani. Increase in Local university fee by RM100,000! — CondorHeroesReturns (@Condorretu58866) From Public Service to Commercial Enterprise? The dispute has also highlighted concerns about the commercialisation of public university places, with questions raised about whether institutions established to serve the public interest are increasingly operating on commercial principles. The timing of these allegations has added political weight to the controversy, with MCA taking on the role of defending educational fairness and equal opportunity. The MCA leader has explicitly stated that this is not a matter of national security, racial issues, or government secrets, but rather a question of public accountability. 'This is not about trying to mislead anyone,' Wee stated, turning back accusations that his data presentation was inaccurate. 'Who is trying to mislead?' READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
1 in 10 attending sexual assault treatment units attacked by multiple assailants
One in 10 of all people attending sexual assault treatment units in Ireland last year reported that they had been attacked by multiple assailants. The latest annual report of the country's six sexual assault treatment units (SATUs) shows the proportion of cases where someone has been sexually assaulted by two or more individuals increased to 10 per cent in 2024 from nine per cent in 2023 and seven per cent in 2022. It also revealed that the rate of use of weapons in incidents of sexual violence more than doubled to seven per cent last year with physical restraints being used in 36 per cent of all reported cases. The report said the latest figures could suggest an escalation in the severity of injuries sustained in incidents of sexual assault as the number of people requiring referrals for injury follow-up care increased by a third to 21 – two per cent of all cases, Five individuals needed to be hospitalised due to their injuries last year. The latest figures show 21 per cent of people who reported sexual violence expressed concern that they their drink may have been spiked while a further 17 per cent were unsure whether a drug-facilitated sexual assault had occurred. They also reveal that the share of incidents where the perpetrator was described as a stranger also increased to 31 per cent last year from 28 per cent in 2023 and 26 per cent in 2022. However, there was a fall in the rate of 'recent acquaintance' assaults by someone who the victim has met in the previous 24 hours which decreased by 4 percentage points to 11 per cent in 2024. Overall, the report shows the number of people attending the HSE-funded SATUs fell by four per cent last year with a total of 1,021 people who had experienced sexual violence attending the six centres – down 41 on the previous year. The largest SATU in Dublin recorded a 13 per cent decrease in attendances – down 57 compared with the previous year to 394 in 2024 while there was an 18 per cent decrease in numbers at the Galway centre – down 24 to 113. The other four centres – Cork, Mullingar, Letterkenny and Waterford – all reported modest increases in the number of people using their services. Approximately half of all people attending SATUs last year were aged under 25, while the average age of attendees was 28 years. The report revealed two per cent of individuals attending SATUs were aged under 14 years. According to official figures, 91 per cent of people using SATU services in 2024 were female, while eight per cent were male and one per cent identified as another gender or none – a similar trend to recent years. Approximately sven out of 10 people attending SATUs last year identified themselves as Irish. Individuals from 57 other nationalities also availed for SATU services with four per cent of all cases needing the assistance of a translator. The report shows a third of all incidents of sexual violence reported at SATUs occurred in Dublin, while 83 per cent occurred within Ireland. A further 7.5 per cent took place in the rest of Europe. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week While weekend days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday continued to account for the largest proportion of incidents, their share decreased from 79 per cent in 2023 to 56 per cent last year. The report reveals that 35 per cent of people attending a SATU last year did so less than 24 hours after their experience of sexual violence with another 25 per cent seeking assistance between 24 and 72 hours. The overwhelming majority of incidents (82 per cent) occurred between 8pm and 8am. More than two-thirds occurred indoors with 22 per cent in the victim's home and 21 per cent in the assailant's home. Despite some lack of facilities, the report showed that 95 per cent of people were seen within three hours of a request for a forensic clinical examination – the highest rate ever and ahead of the target of 90 per cent. However, it also highlighted how a third of cases where there was a delay beyond three hours was due to a SATU being 'unavailable for use.' SATU national clinical lead, Maeve Eogan, said in most cases this generally meant a unit was unavailable because another case was in progress. Another 24 per cent of delays were due to the unavailability of a forensic clinical examiner and 21 per cent due to the absence of SATU support staff. 'These findings highlight the need for additional forensic suites and sufficient staffing, particularly in high-demand units,' said Prof Eogan. She added: 'It remains imperative that people can access responsive care in a timely fashion and that all aspects of society are aware of the prevalence and potential impacts of sexual violence, and the location and type of services available.' Just over half of all individuals (52 per cent) attending a SATU last year opted for a forensic clinical examination which is available to anyone aged 14 years or over who wants to make a complaint to An Garda Síochána about experiencing sexual violence which has occurred within the previous seven days. A quarter of people, who did not want to report the matter to gardaí, opted for a sexual health screen with no forensic samples taken while 13 per cent, who were undecided about notifying gardaí about what happened to them, chose a forensic clinical examination where forensic samples are securely stored for a period of up to 12 months. The report also highlighted how SATU staff continued outreach activity last year including attendance at a number of concerts and festivals. Prof Eogan said engagement and collaboration with communities was increasingly recognised as an important factor in creating awareness, reducing incidents, facilitating disclosure and provide a swift care response for those who have experienced sexual violence. 'Nobody ever 'wants' to attend a SATU and we never cease to be amazed by the strength that our service users display, despite the significance of the events they have experienced,' Prof Eogan remarked.
BreakingNews.ie
22-06-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
10% of those attending sexual assault treatment units reported multiple assailants
One in 10 of all people attending sexual assault treatment units in Ireland last year reported that they had been attacked by multiple assailants. The latest annual report of the country's six sexual assault treatment units (SATUs) shows the proportion of cases where someone has been sexually assaulted by two or more individuals increased to 10 per cent in 2024 from nine per cent in 2023 and seven per cent in 2022. Advertisement It also revealed that the rate of use of weapons in incidents of sexual violence more than doubled to seven per cent last year with physical restraints being used in 36 per cent of all reported cases. The report said the latest figures could suggest an escalation in the severity of injuries sustained in incidents of sexual assault as the number of people requiring referrals for injury follow-up care increased by a third to 21 – two per cent of all cases. Five individuals needed to be hospitalised due to their injuries last year. The latest figures show 21 per cent of people who reported sexual violence expressed concern that they their drink may have been spiked while a further 17 per cent were unsure whether a drug-facilitated sexual assault had occurred. Advertisement They also reveal that the share of incidents where the perpetrator was described as a stranger also increased to 31 per ceny last year from 28 per cent in 2023 and 26 per ceny in 2022. However, there was a fall in the rate of 'recent acquaintance' assaults by someone who the victim has met in the previous 24 hours which decreased by 4 percentage points to 11 per cent in 2024. Overall, the report shows the number of people attending the HSE-funded SATUs fell by four per cent last year with a total of 1,021 people who had experienced sexual violence attending the six centres – down 41 on the previous year. The largest SATU in Dublin recorded a 13 per cent decrease in attendances – down 57 compared with the previous year to 394 in 2024 while there was an 18 per cent decrease in numbers at the Galway centre – down 24 to 113. Advertisement The other four centres – Cork, Mullingar, Letterkenny and Waterford – all reported modest increases in the number of people using their services. Approximately half of all people attending SATUs last year were aged under 25, while the average age of attendees was 28 years. The report revealed two per cent of individuals attending SATUs were aged under 14 years. According to official figures, 91% of people using SATU services in 2024 were female, while eight per cent were male and one per cent identified as another gender or none – a similar trend to recent years. Advertisement Approximately 7 out of 10 people attending SATUs last year identified themselves as Irish. Individuals from 57 other nationalities also availed for SATU services with four per cent of all cases needing the assistance of a translator. The report shows a third of all incidents of sexual violence reported at SATUs occurred in Dublin, while 83 per cent occurred within Ireland. A further 7.5 per cent took place in the rest of Europe. Advertisement While weekend days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday continued to account for the largest proportion of incidents, their share decreased from 79 per cent in 2023 to 56 per cent last year. The report reveals that 35 per cent of people attending a SATU last year did so less than 24 hours after their experience of sexual violence with another 25 per cent seeking assistance between 24 and 72 hours. The overwhelming majority of incidents (82 per cent) occurred between 8pm and 8am. More than two-thirds occurred indoors with 22 per cent in the victim's home and 21 per cent in the assailant's home. Despite some lack of facilities, the report showed that 95 per cent of people were seen within three hours of a request for a forensic clinical examination – the highest rate ever and ahead of the target of 90 per cent. However, it also highlighted how a third of cases where there was a delay beyond three hours was due to a SATU being 'unavailable for use.' SATU national clinical lead, Maeve Eogan, said in most cases this generally meant a unit was unavailable because another case was in progress. Another 24 per cent of delays were due to the unavailability of a forensic clinical examiner and 21 per cent due to the absence of SATU support staff. 'These findings highlight the need for additional forensic suites and sufficient staffing, particularly in high-demand units,' said Prof Eogan. She added: 'It remains imperative that people can access responsive care in a timely fashion and that all aspects of society are aware of the prevalence and potential impacts of sexual violence, and the location and type of services available.' Just over half of all individuals (52 per cent) attending a SATU last year opted for a forensic clinical examination which is available to anyone aged 14 years or over who wants to make a complaint to An Garda Síochána about experiencing sexual violence which has occurred within the previous seven days. A quarter of people, who did not want to report the matter to gardai, opted for a sexual health screen with no forensic samples taken while 13 per cent, who were undecided about notifying gardaí about what happened to them, chose a forensic clinical examination where forensic samples are securely stored for a period of up to 12 months. The report also highlighted how SATU staff continued outreach activity last year including attendance at a number of concerts and festivals. Prof Eogan said engagement and collaboration with communities was increasingly recognised as an important factor in creating awareness, reducing incidents, facilitating disclosure and provide a swift care response for those who have experienced sexual violence. 'Nobody ever 'wants' to attend a SATU and we never cease to be amazed by the strength that our service users display, despite the significance of the events they have experienced,' Prof Eogan remarked.
Irish Examiner
22-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
10% of those attending sexual assault treatment units reported multiple assailants
One in 10 of all people attending sexual assault treatment units in Ireland last year reported that they had been attacked by multiple assailants. The latest annual report of the country's six sexual assault treatment units (SATUs) shows the proportion of cases where someone has been sexually assaulted by two or more individuals increased to 10% in 2024 from 9% in 2023 and 7% in 2022. Use of weapons doubled It also revealed that the rate of use of weapons in incidents of sexual violence more than doubled to 7% last year with physical restraints being used in 36% of all reported cases. The report said the latest figures could suggest an escalation in the severity of injuries sustained in incidents of sexual assault as the number of people requiring referrals for injury follow-up care increased by a third to 21 — 2% of all cases. Five individuals needed to be hospitalised due to their injuries last year. Drink spiking The latest figures show 21% of people who reported sexual violence expressed concern that they their drink may have been spiked while a further 17% were unsure whether a drug-facilitated sexual assault had occurred. They also reveal that the share of incidents where the perpetrator was described as a stranger also increased to 31% last year from 28% in 2023 and 26% in 2022. However, there was a fall in the rate of 'recent acquaintance' assaults by someone who the victim has met in the previous 24 hours which decreased by four percentage points to 11% in 2024. Fall in numbers attending SATUs Overall, the report shows the number of people attending the HSE-funded SATUs fell by 4% last year with a total of 1,021 people who had experienced sexual violence attending the six centres — down 41 on the previous year. The largest SATU in Dublin recorded a 13% decrease in attendances — down 57 compared with the previous year to 394 in 2024 while there was an 18% decrease in numbers at the Galway centre — down 24 to 113. The other four centres — Cork, Mullingar, Letterkenny and Waterford — all reported modest increases in the number of people using their services. Approximately half of all people attending SATUs last year were aged under 25, while the average age of attendees was 28 years. The report revealed 2% of individuals attending SATUs were aged under 14 years. According to official figures, 91% of people using SATU services in 2024 were female, while 8% were male and 1% identified as another gender or none — a similar trend to recent years. Approximately seven out of 10 people attending SATUs last year identified themselves as Irish. Individuals from 57 other nationalities also availed for SATU services with 4% of all cases needing the assistance of a translator. The report shows a third of all incidents of sexual violence reported at SATUs occurred in Dublin, while 83% occurred within Ireland. A further 7.5% took place in the rest of Europe. While weekend days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday continued to account for the largest proportion of incidents, their share decreased from 79% in 2023 to 56% last year. The overwhelming majority of incidents (82%) occurred between 8pm and 8am. More than two-thirds occurred indoors with 22% in the victim's home and 21% in the assailant's home. Read More Child sexual assault and indecent exposures among 4,300 complaints made to Irish Rail last year
