Press Statement by Charles Santiago in Klang on Wednesday, 14^th October 2009:

Academic repression stifles excellence and critical thinking

Six Universiti Malaya students involved in the Chinese language debate society were summoned to a disciplinary inquiry on 12 Oct 2009 for allegedly organizing a politically oriented debate.

All they did was to invite a few politicians to act as judges in a debate on the recent political developments in the country.

Two other students also faced the disciplinary committee for having invited Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the political secretary to the Menteri Besar of Selangor and member of the Selangor Legislative Assembly to officiate University Malaya's annual general meeting without express permission from the university.

The university has accused the students of violating the rules and regulations of the varsity and contravening the infamous University and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA). The Act was introduced with the specific purpose of regulating and stifling student activism.

The Chairman of the disciplinary committee Professor Faisal Ali said the disciplinary board would decide if they were in violation of the UUCA. The highest punishment is expulsion from the university.

According to the UM students association, the Students Affair Department had approved the debate and was informed of the topic and particulars of invited judges. The department only advised the organiser not to organise any activities with political element in the future.

The UCCA has been a subject of contention as its provisions have been used to curb university and college students from taking an active part in politics. It also appears to be the most backward legislation from a freedom of association and expression perspective.

It is vital that universities and institutions of higher learning encourage intellectual freedom and not infringe on their academic freedom and autonomy. Students must be encouraged, motivated and nurtured to think and express themselves without fear of persecution.

Ironically, when the government found the Malaysian university ranking had dropped by a big scale, it decided to amend the UUCA in order to give the universities more autonomous power and release students’ innovation as the act had greatly dampened the independence and critical thinking of university students.

However, it appears that the ‘law and order’ mindset in managing universities dominate the minds of administrators and government. Universities need to be autonomous in order to produce world class thinkers and leaders.

It is disappointing to note that the joy of re-listing University Malaysia in the top 200 universities list has been marred by this unfortunate incident. University Malaya has to be reminded that a university cannot achieve academic excellence without respecting the freedom of expression.

Hence, I strongly urge University Malaya to immediately drop any charges that are being contemplated against the eight students. The ministry of education needs to review the UUCA, remove all oppressive provisions and uphold the academic freedom and fundamental rights of students.

* Charles Santiago, Selangor DAP Vice Chairman & MP for Klang