NUS defends decision to sack ex-law don

SINGAPORE - National University of Singapore (NUS) yesterday defended its decision to fire former law don Tey Tsun Hang last year, over charges of corruption, which he was later cleared of on appeal.

A spokesman, responding to queries from The Straits Times, said Mr Tey was sacked after NUS found that he had breached the terms and conditions of his contract.

These terms included a summary dismissal or termination of employment without prior notice, for misconduct or gross impropriety.

"NUS takes a very strong stand against faculty who behave in a grossly inappropriate manner in their interactions with our students," said the spokesman.

Her remarks were in response to Mr Tey's application for a High Court judicial review of the university's decision to sack him in May last year. He had already been suspended by NUS in July 2012.

Mr Tey, in court papers filed last week, is claiming there was a breach of natural justice as he was not given a hearing. He is asking the court to quash the university's decision and be reinstated.

He was first charged with corruption in May 2012 over allegations that he accepted gifts and sex from Ms Darrine Ko, a former law student at NUS.

myp@sph.com.sg

This article by The Straits Times was published in MyPaper, a free, bilingual newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.