'Serial liar' Najib chided: Students can expect a more repressive UUCA

Prime Minister Najib Razak came in for more fire over the duplicitous way in which he has been handling key issues after he hinted the government would liberalize a law prohibiting students from taking part in politics, and then in the next breath confirmed that his government would still appeal against a recent court ruling that found the ban unconstitutional.

Najib had declared that the BN government would amend Section 15 of the contentious Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1974, but without stating any time frame for when the public could expect the changes. Neither did he detail what sort of charges except to vaguely insinuate that it would be liberalized.

However, this was exactly the same modus operandi he used when he promised Malaysians greater freedom to peacefully assemble and voice their views over issues that perturbed them. The Peaceful Assembly Act that he tabled for first reading in Parliament on Tuesday turned out to be a "a lie to deceive the people".

"This is the next lie by Najib. Section 15 of the UUCA will not be repealed to grant students in Malaysia the same rights as in other countries including Indonesia and Thailand to play a role or have voice in the politics of their own country. After the Peaceful Assembly Act, Malaysian students can expect an even more repressive UUCA," PKR vice president Tian Chua warned Malaysia Chronicle.

"Najib has proven himself to be a serial liar and Malaysians must reject such behaviour. It is ridiculous and he is really making a fool of himslef, his party and the country. What type of image will outsides and investors have of Malaysia now, after they see with their own eyes what a liar the PM is."

Two-faced leadership?

Najib had told Parliament this morning that Section 15 of the law would be amended, but that students below the age of 21 would still be barred from political involvement and that restrictions against politicians and political activity on university campuses would still be strictly enforced.

“The government believes in the maturity and wisdom of our students and respects their constitutional rights... This will allow students to (take part in political activities and) become members of political parties,” said the PM.

He then confirmed his government would appeal the recent court rulinge because “the court decision has far-reaching implications on the principles of law in the country”.

The ban on student participation in politics was introduced in 1975 by former premier Mahathir Mohamd.

Recently, the Court of Appeal ruled that the ban was unconstitutional after 4 students from UKM fought and won a court case against the police, who had charged them for campaigning on behalf of opposition parties during a recent by-election.

Malaysia Chronicle