KUALA LUMPUR: There should be limitations on the freedom to participate in politics that will be given to students and lecturers through the amendments to provisions in the Universities and University Colleges Act (Auku) of 1971, shared an academician.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia legal adviser, Associate Professor Dr Salawati Mat Basir, said this was essential to prevent lecturers and students from neglecting their core duties of teaching and learning when participating in political activities off campus.
"I believe that even if permission is given, there should be restrictions in place to prevent any abuse of power. I don't see anything wrong with the proposed amendments as long as it does not interfere with students' primary obligation," she told Bernama.
"If a student wants to be a candidate (for elections), there must be conditions. It's not that all students, including those who fail their exam, can simply be a candidate. Likewise, lecturers must be clean, have not been subject to disciplinary action and have a record of good service," she said.
On March 19, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that even though the government had stated that Auku 1971 would not be repealed, some provisions in the Act that restricted the freedom of students and lecturers would be removed.
Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said that lecturers should be given the opportunity to participate directly in politics.
This, he said, was to allow intellectuals who had conducted a lot of research and had extensive knowledge on the country's administration to express their views.
"I agree with the idea of allowing lecturers to engage in politics, such as joining a political party and holding positions in a political party. However, there should be clear guidelines to prevent them from neglecting their core reponsibilites if they get involved in politics," he said.
On the freedom given to students to participate in politics off campus, Azizuddin said that it should not disrupt order on campus or the learning and teaching processes at university.
National Students Consultative Council (MPPK) secretary-general Rasydan Mohd Hassan said students should be allowed to openly participate in political activities because it was in line with the Undi 18 agenda at the national level.
"I feel that amendments to the Act are relevant because it is in line with the student empowerment agenda and there are several provisions in Auku, the Universiti Teknologi Mara Act (Act 173/174); the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act (ACT 555) that prevent the realisation of such agendas, including those pertaining to their activity and financial management.
"Through this empowerment agenda, our students will be more resilient and adaptable in accordance with global needs," he said. – Bernama