The University of Malaya Academic Staff Union (PKAUM) has vowed to oppose the university’s recent ban on political activity.

 

It said the ban contravenes the Federal Constitution’s guarantees of freedoms of expression, association, and assembly.

 

“Therefore, any infringement of the rights of any of UM staff members shall be opposed by the union on the grounds that by virtue of the constitution any action taken by the university has to be bound by the limitations and protections set out in the Constitution,” said PKAUM president Azmi Sharom in a statement today.

 

The circular dated Dec 23 bans UM staff from organising any kind of political activities, including those "on study leave, vacation leave or attending seminars or workshops inside or outside the country".

 

PKR parliamentarian N Surendran calls the ban a “blatant breach” of constitutional guarantees.

 

“ Article 10(1) of the Federal Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech and association. Organising or participating in political activities is thus protected as freedom of association,” he said in a statement today.

 

The Padang Serai MP said the ban is worse than the restrictive University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971.

 

“The ban goes even further than the restrictive UUCA 1971 which, through amendments passed in 2012, now allows students to carry out political activities outside campus,” he said.

 

Surendran also found the prohibition “particularly shocking” for its disregard of UN standards and guidelines, coming from Malaysia’s premier varsity.

 

“ Unesco recommendations provide that higher education teaching personnel ‘should not be hindered or impeded in exercising their civil rights as citizens',” he added.

 

He calls on the UM administration to withdraw the ban as it is making the university and higher education in the country a “laughing stock”.

‘Assess UM’s increasingly bizarre actions’

 

Meanwhile, former UM student leader Fahmi Zainol sarcastically said that if the university wants to ban the staff from political expression, it should have eliminated all subjects related to politics to begin with.

 

“This ban is actually a marker of success for students and lecturers, as they are now united in the fight for academic freedom.

 

“ It is time the students and lecturers realise and assess the increasingly bizzare actions the university is taking,” Fahmi ( right ) said in a statement today.

The letter states that UM will take serious action against those who do not protect, maintain, or defend the country's dignity, as well as those who do not follow the laws.

 

It was issued by UM registrar Yusoff Musa and was posted on  Facebook  by a UM academic today.

UM staff 'can't organise political activities'