Malaysians Say The Darndest Things!

A More Humane Law For Students?

July 30, 2008

The University and University Colleges Act 1971 is a set of laws that govern the life of public university undergraduates in Malaysia. Among the more draconian laws are the restriction on joining any NGO or organization without the express permission of the vice-chancellor. This act has been used to punish students for expressing their political preferences, especially if they lean towards supporting the opposition.

As such, this act can be blamed for the lack of political awareness and activism in our students, because it is just better not to care. And I don’t blame the students as once they get expelled, they can kiss their education goodbye.

There has been calls by both sides of the political divide to either amend or totally abolish this law, and finally, it seems like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Although not fully abolishing the act, the Higher Education Ministry has proposed a set of amendments which are notable for taking a step in the right direction.

Here are some of the proposed amendments as highlighted by NSTOnline.

- University students can join any society or organization (including NGOs) without the permission of the vice-chancellor. (Thumbs up. This is just a ridiculous law that prevents a student from exercising any right of association.)

- Vice-chancellor will not be a political appointee. (Thumbs up. Although it still doesn’t say in the article how the vice-chancellor will be appointed in the future, and whether current vice-chancellor’s positions will be evaluated.)

- Offences under the act will no longer be of a criminal nature. They will be disciplinary offences instead. (Thumbs up. Used to be when convicted, you earn yourself a criminal record.)

- The definition of ’student’ to be extended to anyone in a course of study, instruction, training, and research at the preparatory, undergraduate, post-graduate, or post-doctoral level including distance learning, off-campus, exchange, and non-graduating students. (Thumbs DOWN. Trying to cover all students, especially adult students in their 20s and above with more association laws is plain wrong. Not allowing a student in his 30s, for example, to be part of a political party or even need permission to join a political party is downright insulting, and condescending.)

I suggest that if you’re any sort of student in a public university right now, or plan to be in the future, take a look at the article above. Unfortunately, your life is still governed by politicians’ whims and fancy, and being aware of the laws will help you certainly help more than hinder.

And this is what the Higher Education Minister thinks of students:

Quite condescending right?

Also, it also notable that Gerakan leader, Koh Tsu Koon, shares my sentiments as well. (Don’t say I always criticize Gerakan ppl, OK?). I wonder if Koh were to be voted in as MP during the last elections, whether he would oppose the amendment as vehemently as he is now. And when it comes to passing the amendments in Parliament, would he buck the trend, or would he stay in BN’s good books? I wonder.

My personal opinion is that this act should just be abolished. Universities should allow students to be politically active if they choose to be. Like it or not, politics determine the direction of the country, from our wages, oil prices, laws, etc., and the sooner a student realizes it, the better. Don’t wait till you start paying taxes to wonder why your money is being used to send another man to space. Or to pay compensation for an crooked bridge that was never built. Or to bail out failed government projects. Hope you get the idea.

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• The Malaysian Brainwashing Bureau
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