The National Youth Federation (Federasi) has condemned Universiti Malaya for allegedly barring a pro-Palestine rally on campus.
It claimed the organisers of the demonstration faced threats and intimidation from the university administration, and when the rally went ahead, the group was forced out of campus and had to hold the protest at the university’s gates.
“(It is) as though the voice of humanitarianism has no place in an institution of learning,” it said in a statement.
According to Federasi, the protest organised by Liga Mahasiswa UM today was supposed to take place at Dewan Tunku Canselor as part of a solidarity campaign for Palestinians and the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) activists still in Israeli custody.
However, the university administration contacted them at midnight for a “meeting” where they were allegedly threatened with disciplinary action.
“Students were forced to cancel the assembly, threatened with disciplinary action under the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA), and even warned that the university itself would report them to the police,” Federasi claimed.
Federasi also called on UM to withdraw its threats against the organisers, urged the Higher Education Ministry to take a clear stance on the issue, and renewed calls for the repeal of UUCA, which they said stifles students’ freedom of expression.
UM says it only ‘advised’ organisers
In response, UM said in a statement it did not bar the solidarity event and merely “advised” organisers to reschedule it.
This is to ensure the smooth running of orientation week activities, which are also held at Dewan Tunku Canselor and its surrounding areas.
It emphasised that it respects students’ right to express their views, but maintained that all campus activities must comply with university regulations.
The university added that it stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people and aims to promote global peace through education, research, and dialogue.
The GSF involved more than 500 activists from 45 countries sailing toward Gaza as a show of solidarity and an effort to break Israel’s blockade, while also delivering humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
According to a Reuters report earlier today, Israel detained over 450 activists attempting to break its naval blockade of Gaza, of which at least 170 have since been deported. - Mkini
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