KUALA LUMPUR – Universiti Malaya youth activists have launched a petition to protest against postponed campus polls that were scheduled for July 20 and 21.
University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) and University of Malaya Campus Election Committee (UMCEC) are calling the postponement “a move to suppress students and deliberately block the democratic process”.
In a statement, Umany said the delay will set back previous efforts by the students to restore campus democracy.
“They unreasonably postpone our campus election to the next semester, which is not only a disrespect for student autonomy but also highlights the fragility of campus democracy under insidious political forces.
“Campus elections, which should symbolise democracy and fairness, have now been infiltrated and crippled by political forces. The selection of student representatives to form the student union is an exclusive right,” it added.
Meanwhile, UMCEC said the deputy vice-chancellor had advised to put on hold campus election processes to November, including nomination day, which was initially slated to be held at the weekend.
It added that a letter of appeal has been sent to the deputy vice-chancellor.
According to the petition, the UM election is withheld by the university’s Students Affairs Division (HEP) “due to a floating rumour that the Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) intends to regulate and standardise all elections to be held in November of the next academic year”.
“Campus democracy upholds students’ autonomy, and the right to choose who shall represent their voices to protect their interests and especially their welfare amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” it added.
This petition urged the Universiti Malaya’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Sabri Musa, the Student Affairs Division, fellow members of the university administration and the board of directors to protect and preserve student autonomy. – The Vibes, July 12, 2021
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