The Higher Education Ministry has drafted a guideline under the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) to regulate students who are involved in politics on and off campus.
This is amid many believing the 15th general election will be held at the end of this year.
According to the drafted guideline which Malaysiakini sighted, students are not allowed to set up any branch or division for political parties on their campus.
Besides, written permission from their educational institution is needed if students want to hold political activities on campus, such as forums.
“Without written permission from the university, a student may not engage in the following political activities on campus either face-to-face, online, or both.
“These activities include organising lectures, seminars, symposiums, colloquiums, workshops, or the like related to politics;
“Collecting donations or contributions among students or the public on behalf of a political party; or any activities that may affect the harmony of other students on campus,” read the guideline.
The drafted guideline added that schools have the right to reject such applications or to withdraw issued permission if deemed appropriate.
Students are also not allowed to establish any branch of a political party on campus; or erect any items or replicas related to a political party’s symbol on campus.
However, the drafted guideline stated that the students are allowed to join political parties, hold party positions, or take part in any kind of elections in the country, and can participate in approved political activities on campus.
Students were reminded that they should comply with current laws and regulations, as well as be polite and respectful when involved in politics in their individual capacity.
Participate in politics but avoid provocation
Students are also allowed to:
a) Support, oppose, or otherwise, in the capacity of an individual to any political party;
b) Possess, display, or use any symbol or emblem of any political party
c) Possess or distribute leaflets, materials, or goods of a political party to other students on campus
d) Participate in lectures, seminars, symposiums, colloquiums, workshops, or other politics-related events approved by the university
e) Make any statement, whether verbal or written, about any political party
f) Become an agent of a political party to increase the membership of that political party among students
Students are advised to avoid provocation that can cause hatred, anger, and anxiety in society, as well as avoid touching on religion, race, and customs.
Finger pointed at student group Umno Siswa
The new guideline has drawn backlash from the University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany).
In a press statement, the association expressed their dissatisfaction, especially with the rule that disallows students to set up branches of political parties on campus.
They asked Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad if the ministry will take action on university undergraduate group Umno Siswa.
Noraini is Umno’s MP for Parit Sulong.
Umany said this prohibition will undermine the students' political freedom and described the guideline as ‘extremely stupid’.
They are also unhappy students will be prohibited from engaging in any political activity on or off campus without permission from the university.
“Under the Peaceful Assembly Act, any person can hold any kind of peaceful assembly by giving notice. Why should we get permission to hold a rally when it comes to the university?”
Umany said the drafted guideline which required students to obtain university approval to hold political events on campus and banned online political activities is unreasonable.
“The Federal Constitution grants political freedom to the people.
“Does the Higher Education Ministry believe that the guidelines could override the Federal Constitution, or the rights of students are not protected by the Federal Constitution?” asked the student group.
They see the guidelines as a greater restriction on the freedom and autonomy of college students than the UUCA itself.
Discussion held with stakeholders
The group’s president Liau Pin Chun revealed to Malaysiakini that the Higher Education Ministry held a town hall session with student unions as well as representatives from universities and colleges on Monday (Aug 15), to discuss the guideline.
Liau said Umany representatives who attended the dialogue reported that vice-chancellors of public and private universities agreed to implement the guideline by this year.
Meanwhile, DAP Youth Varsity Affairs director Ho Chi Yang pointed out that the guideline required students to be "polite" and "harmonious" when involved in political activities but did not define what those words meant exactly.
He worried this would be interpreted arbitrarily and allow school authorities to abuse their power and suppress student dissidents.
As such, he urged the ministry not to implement the guideline but to abolish the UUCA itself.
The Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 was amended in December 2018 to allow students to be involved in politics.
Then education minister Maszlee Malik said universities and colleges could invite political leaders to give talks on campus with permission from the vice-chancellors.
The amendment also discontinued any ongoing disciplinary actions against students who participated in politics as they were not allowed to do so before. - Mkini
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