KUALA LUMPUR – The Universiti of Malaya Students’ Union (UMSU) has sent a memorandum to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin to appeal against the implementation of certain laws affecting university students.
Titled “4 demands to the Ministry of Higher Education from the Student Movement”, the memorandum aims to amend existing legislation on higher education to be more progressive.
The four demands to the ministry include restoring the technical committee to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), a law which reportedly restricts students’ academic freedom, freedom of expression, and freedom of association.
The memorandum also demands the introduction of a higher education act within a year, as well as the repeal of AUKU, the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996, and other relevant laws.
In doing so, the political appointment of university vice-chancellors and managing boards will be replaced with transparent elections, which guarantee the rights, freedom of speech, and academic freedom of students and educators.
UMSU also said the new law will increase students’ financial autonomy and uphold their right to freedom of association.
The budget for universities to repair and add facilities, as well as to sponsor postgraduate research projects, should also be increased, per the memorandum’s demand.
The memorandum also aims to liberate campus elections by giving autonomy to campus election committees, freeing them from influence and interference from university management.
UMSU opined that the newly appointed minister must be proactive and progressive when implementing the institutional reform agenda, regardless of which party carries out the changes under the unity government.
It also urged the minister to be accountable for guaranteeing students’ welfare while continuing efforts towards institutional reforms, instead of making excuses and enticing promises.
UMSU further demands that the ministry takes the memorandum into consideration to guarantee the rights and interests of students across Malaysia.
It also stressed the importance of protecting the welfare of students throughout Malaysia.
“We think that the students’ rights and freedom of speech and academics should not continually be challenged by any acts of intimidation by the government,” UMSU said in the statement.
“The intimidation that often occurs is that those who speak up will be called for police investigation in order to safeguard the interests of certain influential people who hold the reins of government,” the union added. – The Vibes, December 9, 2022
