Subscribe to our Telegram channel for our latest stories and breaking news.
A medical student who has yet to be vaccinated for COVID-19 has lodged a police report against her university for barring her from sitting for an examination
According to the Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), 22-year-old student Nik Farah Ellisha Mohd Razif had already informed Universiti Malaya (UM) that she did not wish to take the vaccine.
“However, after the university insisted, I finally agreed to get vaccinated with the vaccine brand of my choice and informed the university about that in April,” she said in the media statement.
According to Nik Farah, the university told her that she would be given a vaccine appointment.
“As of the examination date on 8 and 9 June, I did not receive an appointment date for the vaccination, and when I arrived for the important exam, the university stopped me and asked me to leave the hall,” she said.
The student added that she then requested to take the examination separately, but her request was rejected.
She lodged a police report about the incident at the Brickfields police headquarters (IPD) on Monday, 14 June, accompanied by PPIM’s lead activist, Datuk Nadzim Johan.
Nik Farah (far left) and Nadzim Johan (middle) at the Brickfields IPD on Monday.
Image via Wacana
Nadzim urged the police the investigate the incident thoroughly as it was unfair to the student
On their website, PPIM called the university’s actions “illogical”.
“This is a medical student and she understands the pros and cons of the vaccine. Thus, when she rejected the vaccine, she understood the risks,” Nadzim said.
He added that the university should not force its students to accept the vaccine but should instead educate and explain it to them amicably.
“Why are they making it difficult for the student? She is the future of the country, she can contribute to the country in the time to come,” he said.
In front of the Brickfields IPD, Nik Farah also told reporters that she was heartbroken that she was not allowed to sit for the exam
“It’s really heartbreaking because my friends and I have studied so hard. I really just wanted to answer the exam. But I wasn’t allowed because I wasn’t vaccinated. And it is my right to say no to the vaccine,” she said in the interview, as shared by former UMNO supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam on Facebook.
“The university prevented me from taking [an exam] that I was supposed to be taking. It’s my right to take the exam.”
She added that she hopes the government will provide her help after hearing her plea.
“I just want to continue my studies. I just want to be at the hospital with my friends. I want to become a good doctor one day. That’s my dream.”
Image via Lokman Adam (Facebook)
Meanwhile, Brickfields district police chief ACP Annuar Omar has confirmed that they have received a report of the incident
He told Harian Metro that it is being investigated as a civil case.
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya corporate communications office director Mohammad Khairi Md Jaafar told the Malay daily that they are also looking into the matter in detail.
He said the university is open to working with all parties to resolve the matter.
“It is UM’s responsibility to provide a conducive and safe campus to all residents in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
“In fact, we have also taken precautions to ensure that any risk of the virus spreading on campus can be controlled.”