KUANTAN: Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has condemned the act of violence against a group of university students last week.
Its Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim said the undergraduates from higher learning institutions must be free to express their opinions and views.
He described the thuggish behaviour of a group of individuals who attacked the undergraduates last Friday which resulted in a scuffle as tarnishing the values of Malaysians who are known for decency and high moral values.
"We are against any type of violence against university students. Students must be given the opportunity and space to exercise their rights through freedom of speech and holding peaceful assemblies. It is part of the campus experience.
"In UMP, we provide space for students to participate in public discussions and debates using various platforms including forums, talks and intellectual discussions in helping to groom them into future leaders," he said in a statement today.
Daing said UMP supports Education Minister Dr. Maszlee Malik's call for university authorities to always support the students and their freedom as long as it was not something which contravened the laws of the country and university regulations.
Last Friday, it was reported that a programme with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at a restaurant opposite Universiti Malaya(UM) turned ugly when a scuffle broke out between Najib’s supporters and UM students.
A 2.21-minute video clip of the incident had gone viral on social media.