The air at Universiti Malaya (UM) was thick with defiance today as students gathered to rally against the university’s direct disciplinary punishment policy, which they described as a "clear suppression of power" and a "violence" towards students.
More than 100 students from various UM-based student groups, including Neosiswa, NewGen, Demokrat, Umany, SuaraSiswa, Siswa Malaya, and Liga Mahasiswa, staged a sit-down protest in front of the university’s chancellery today, calling for the complete withdrawal of the newly announced policy.
Speaking at the rally, Newgen president Lennards John Johnson argues that the regulations reflect a mindset that treats university students “like primary school students”.
“Are we children? We are civilised and knowledgeable students. We should not be treated as small children.
“This is a suppression; this is a cruelty being covered up by the UM administration,” he said, adding that they would not budge until the vice-chancellor personally received their memorandum.
Based on a copy of their memorandum, the students outlined three key demands to the university:
The complete abolition of all forms of disciplinary punishment within seven days of the memorandum’s submission
An immediate halt to the use of compounds and financial penalties for student disciplinary offences
A comprehensive review of the student disciplinary framework, with the involvement of student representatives to ensure principles of justice, transparency, and accountability.
Lennards stressed that if the demands are not addressed by the seven-day deadline, they will escalate the matter to the Higher Education Ministry and stage another rally.
Despite calls by the protesters to meet the vice-chancellor, only a representative from his office came down to receive the memorandum.
Heavy police presence
The protest, organised by the Universiti Malaya Student Union (UMSU), was also joined by students from other universities such as Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, as well as representatives from the youth NGO Mandiri.
As demonstrators gathered at the chancellery entrance, chants of “Hidup Mahasiswa” (Long Live the Students) and “Mana HEP” (Where is the Student Affairs Department?) echoed across the area.
Protest songs filled the air as students raised placards bearing slogans such as “Mahasiswa Lawan Auku” (Students Against the UUCA) and “HEP Tirani Zalim” (Tyrannical Student Affairs Department).
Adding to the symbolism, students displayed a mock coffin topped with roses, alongside a tombstone inscribed “Student Power 1971” in front of the entryway - in apparent reference to the University and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA).
A heavy police presence was observed throughout campus grounds, with roadblocks set up at several roads leading to the protest site.
Tensions escalated during the protest when university auxiliary police attempted to seize an effigy of the vice-chancellor from demonstrators, resulting in a minor scuffle.
Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia president Alyaah Hani Anuar stated that the hostility was shocking, noting that the protest plans had been communicated to the vice-chancellor and that no objections were raised from his office.
“When students began marching, there was rough treatment and scuffling between the police and students. I ended up falling to the ground, but we continued marching afterwards.
“Later, when we raised placards bearing the vice-chancellor’s image, it was forcibly torn away, and I fell again.
“What we question is this: we have previously carried images of (Prime Minister) Anwar Ibrahim and (Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad) Zahid Hamidi, and there was never any issue raised by the police outside.
“Why is it that auxiliary police appear to go beyond the limits of our freedom of expression?” she said, adding that a police report will be lodged for the maltreatment they received today.
Rush job
Last week, several UM student groups condemned the new policy, claiming that the university had done a “rush job” in making the announcement.
The backlash follows a series of roadshows held by the university administration explained the new policy set to be implemented when the next semester begins in March.
Among the newly announced offences that could be fined are the violation of a midnight curfew for students living on campus, excessive noise, and violation of the university’s dress code.
According to Lennards, the policy was introduced in late 2024 but was only recently announced for enforcement in UM.
He explained that the direct disciplinary punishment policy is a subsidiary legislation under the UUCA, but that the decision on whether to enforce it ultimately lies with the university itself.
Yesterday, ahead of today’s protest, UM announced that the policy’s implementation would be postponed, citing the upcoming examination season and the need for students to remain focused on their academic performance.
However, Alyaah said a temporary delay was insufficient and that only a complete cancellation of the policy was an acceptable response.
“UM reasoned with us that this power comes from UUCA. But when some UM students asked Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim directly whether this is mandatory, he just shook his head. So, we see an inconsistency between the Higher Education Ministry and UM,” she added.
Excessive approach
The direct disciplinary punishment policy has received criticism from many quarters, including MCA Youth and PSM Youth, both of which argue that the proposed rules reflect an excessive and punitive approach to student management.
PSM Youth chief Amanda Shweeta Louis described the policy as a form of political control that undermines campus democracy and unfairly targets students’ daily lives, particularly those who come from low-income backgrounds.
The group added that the measures fail to address deeper structural issues such as high fees, weak public transport and inadequate safety infrastructure.
MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung, meanwhile, backed a student petition opposing the policy and criticised the imposition of fines, warning that escalating penalties would further burden students already struggling with rising living costs.
The group urged the Higher Education Ministry to investigate whether the policy was a national directive or a unilateral move by the university, cautioning that “monetising” discipline risks turning public universities into profit-driven institutions. - Mkini
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