[UPDATED] Students must be able to express themselves freely: Anwar

GEORGE TOWN – Universities must be a place where students can express themselves freely and independently, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said he wants to see a shift in the climate of universities, where the young can thrive through freedom of thought.

“Universities must be a place for students to to learn in an environment that allows them to think and grow intellectually.  

“Only then will carrying those books make sense,” he told a crowd of 5,000 students and staff members of Universiti Sains Malaysia. 

Anwar said access to quality education also means allowing the young to speak their minds and share ideas without fear of any consequences.

He said university students should become the “conscience of the majority”.

Responding to a question from a student on restoring the Speakers’ Corner, Anwar said he agreed that the platform, which was pivotal in the student movement of the 1970s and which he was a part of, should be restored.

“Vice-chancellors, please take note,” he said in jest to laughter.

The session at USM is part of Anwar’s “Temu Anwar” town halls series that sees the prime minister traversing the country to meet people from all walks of life. – The Vibes, June 11, 2023