Universiti Malaya’s decision to ban its staff from organsing any political activities is an attack on academic freedom and will curtail the progress of the university.
The move will also cause UM’s international image to take a further dive after it has recently made itself an international laughing stock for banning Anwar Ibrahim from attending a talk organized by Universiti Malaya’s Student Council and for subsequently imposing a campus lockdown.
It is obvious that the UM adminstration is not prepared to admit and learn from its previous mistakes. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that it just does not care about its image at all.
The new move against the staff also shows that UM is not committed to an important foundation of a university – academic freedom.
Without upholding the principle of academic freedom, there is no way UM or any Malaysian university can play the role as critic and conscience of society.
University as a place for the pursuit of truth must allow academic freedom and there must be respect for all view points and freedom to organise activities, including political activities.
It has been reported that in the circular sent by the UM’s Registrar Yusoff Musa to UM staff, the following is stated:-
“It is an obligation for Universiti Malaya staff to give their loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, country, government and Universiti Malaya at all times.”
How ridiculous could UM’s argument be!
Is Yusoff saying that by organisng political activity, university staff is not being loyal to the Yang di Pertuan Agong and country?
If organising political activities is being disloyal to the King and the country, then all politicians and political parties are disloyal!
Every citizen ought to be loyal to the King and the nation, but not any government of the day. Yusoff is again being ridiculous to say that the staff should be loyal to the government.
UM must stop embarrassing itself with laughable decisions and arguments. It must rescind all decisions which can curtail the progress of the university.