NUS stops all projects with ex-NMP, Viswa Sadasivan, after alleged sexual comment on talk show
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Mr Viswa Sadasivan allegedly made a sexual and belittling remark during a Zoom call with stand-up comedian Sharul Channa.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Calvin Yang
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SINGAPORE - Talk show host and former Nominated MP Viswa Sadasivan has stepped down as a member of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Alumni Advisory Board.
This comes after allegations of sexual harassment were made against him by two women.
In an e-mail to its alumni on Saturday (Feb 20) evening, the university's Office of Alumni Relations said it would also discontinue all projects with him and his communications consultancy firm, Strategic Moves.
The NUS statement said this was in light of the allegations made by stand-up comedian Ms Sharul Channa, and doctoral researcher, Kiran Kandade, against Mr Viswa.
NUS said: "The University does not condone any behaviour or action that is disrespectful and disparaging of individuals, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion or age."
NUS added the incident between Mr Viswa and Ms Sharul took place during the online interview series, Inconvenient Questions.
It is a collaboration between Strategic Moves and the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) - a graduate club and registered society which is a separate and independent entity from the university.
Before interviewing her online about her profession and work on women's issues, Mr Viswa, 61, allegedly asked why she was wearing a rose brooch.
To which, Ms Sharul, 34, had replied she was just putting it on "to distract from the pattern on my top".
She claimed the presenter then said: "It would be more distracting if you were wearing only that rose."
The incident was first raised by Ms Sharul in a Facebook post on Feb 4.
Ms Kiran, 60, told ST on Saturday night that she had received sexually inappropriate text messages from Mr Viswa about five years ago while discussing work matters.
When contacted, Mr Viswa said he had discussed the termination of commercial contracts with NUS President Tan Eng Chye, with both parties agreeing it was best "to disengage given the controversy".
On Saturday afternoon, he e-mailed Prof Tan about his decision to step down as a member of the Alumni Advisory Board after serving for about 15 years.
Said Mr Viswa: "I didn't want my alma mater, the president and senior members of management, as well as the Alumni Advisory Board members to suffer collateral damage. The controversy I am in had nothing directly to do with NUS.
"I want to be sensitive to the fact that NUS has been trying its best to manage the sexual misconduct cases on campus. It has not been an easy stretch for the university. I don't wish to add to it."
Ms Sharul applauded NUS for taking a stand.
She told ST: "When I first came out on social media to speak about the incident, my intention was not for him to lose his position but to inform that this behaviour is wrong."
