Students free to campaign in GE, says minister

University students are free to join political activities off campus, which includes becoming candidates for the general election, said Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin last night.

He said this was following amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971 which allowed students to be involved in political parties and their activities off campus without any restrictions.

"If they are confident of winning (in the election), students can contest for any party. This is an endorsement by the government on the students' capabilities, " he told reporters after opening the 2012 Student Leaders Convention and launch of the 1Citizen Certification Programme in Putrajaya

Mohamed Khaled said the move to allow students to contest as candidates in the general election showed the government's trust in their capability to think wisely for the sake of their own future.

However, he said, students were not allowed to bring party politics in campus.

Mohamed Khaled said students should maintain harmony in campus and made it a neutral entity that was free of partisan politics to ensure the university could achieve its aspirations and educational objectives.

"We must maintain a neutral campus environment to produce students with critical thinking, build their mental and intellectual capabilities as well as instill scholarly culture among them," he said.

The 1Citizen Certification Programme is a training programme specially developed to foster national unity through the use of technology.

- Bernama