{
  "id": 1182513,
  "title": "Mara suspends staff member over sexual harassment allegations involving eight students",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/mara-suspends-staff-member-over-sexual-harassment-allegations",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T02:50:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1512134/mara-suspends-staff-member-over-sexual-harassment-allegations-involving"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mara has suspended a staff member following allegations of sexual harassment involving at least eight students at one of its educational institutions. This decision was made to allow a comprehensive investigation to take place without any interference from the parties involved. The matter came to light when several students, who claimed to be victims, sent direct messages to Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. Asyraf Wajdi expressed his efforts to persuade the students to file a police report, as the situation is a criminal matter. He found it surprising that the students were more willing to complain directly to him rather than to the management. Mara has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct, including sexual harassment, and guarantees that no cases will be covered up to protect the institution's reputation. The chairman urged anyone to report any misconduct, especially sexual harassment, stating that Mara will take stern action, including dismissal, against those involved.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has immediately suspended a staff member following allegations of sexual harassment involving at least eight students at a Mara educational institution.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "At least eight MARA students allege they were victims of sexual harassment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/at-least-eight-mara-students-allege-they-were-victims-of-sexual",
        "published": "2026-08-16T01:56:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Asyraf Wajdi suspends MARA staff after eight students allege sexual harassment misconduct",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/asyraf-wajdi-suspends-mara-staff-after-eight-students-allege-sexual",
        "published": "2026-08-16T04:09:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}