KUALA LUMPUR: University of Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY) vehemently oppose the university concert guideline as means of supporting the independence of university students and also as a stand against the prevailing conservative ideologies both within campuses and across Malaysia.
UMANY has submitted a formal enquiry letter to the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) which marks the beginning of the judicial review process.
In a press statement, the crowdfunding campaign led by UMANY for the judicial review has garnered a total of RM15,000 in funds.
The secretary-general of the Suara Siswa Universiti Malaya, Abqari Annuar has stated three primary reasons for their opposition which includes significant infringements on the fundamental human rights of students such as on freedom of clothing, speech and expression.
The guidelines also deprive university students of their independence and the guideline employs ambiguous language, granting the university administration the discretion to interpret them arbitrarily.
Suara Siswa Student Representative, engineering student Abishek demanded the Higher Education Ministry to uphold its commitment to reform and reinstate students' autonomy.
This includes the prompt reformation of the UUCA Technical Committee, protecting students' freedom of speech and academic liberties, reinstating financial autonomy for university students and reinforcing their entitlement to engage in student organisations.
"Universities, as bastions of knowledge, should provide students with the opportunity to grow and flourish without undue interference from the Ministry of Higher Education," said a representative of Idea Belia, Surren.
Previously, MoHE has instructed guidelines for entertainment activities (concert) at higher learning institutions to be set and provided by the institutions through the involvement of the Student Representative Council or Student Union (MPP/KM).