Amendments to UUCA passed

The amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) were passed today as final attempts from opposition lawmakers to push for changes failed.

The amendments were adopted by the Dewan Rakyat at 7.55pm during an extended session, which saw MPs from both divides actively taking part in the day-long debate on the UUCA Bill.

Earlier, Pakatan Rakyat MPs, represented by Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara) had proposed a series of changes to the wording of the amendment Bill to pave the way for greater students’ freedom, among others.

However, his proposals - the outcome of consultations with student groups and academicians - were turned down by the Barisan Nasional-dominant House when put to the vote.

‘They can organise forum with politicians’

The main bone of contention during the debate was whether to allow varsity students to take part in political activities or join political parties.

Under the amendment, university students are now allowed to join off-campus associations - they were previously banned from doing so.

However, they are still banned from joining or being affiliated with any political party. They are also not allowed to express support or opposition to any political party.

Responding to the objections from the opposition MPs, Higher Education Minister Mohd Khaled Nordin said when winding-up that students are not entirely banned from affiliating with politicians.

“The students are not restricted to have their own activities or interaction with the politicians or political parties as long as these are related to academic issues such as organising forums on the petrol hike,” he explained.

However, the minister reiterated that students will not be allowed to join political parties.

Interestingly, backbencher Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) appeared to disagree with his fellow backbenchers and joined the opposition MPs to urge the government to allow undergraduates to join politics.

“We should be open to that in future because all of us know that it (politics) is already happening in the university with the existence of the aspirasi (pro-establishment) or anti-establishment groups.

“We should let the students have a free flow of political ideas so they can excel in the arena too,” said Khairy, who is also Umno Youth deputy chief.

Although he differed on the issue of students in politics, the Rembau MP said he would support the amendments which he described as the first step towards greater campus autonomy and students’ freedom.

Cosmetic change

Outside, a group of student activists showed up in the Parliament lobby today to demand that MPs reject the amendments which they deemed as ‘cosmetic changes’ to the restrictive Act.

Their spokesperson Teh Yee Keong hoped that the amendments would be reviewed by a parliamentary select committee to genuinely guarantee the freedom of students and academicians.

The UUCA has been severely criticised by human rights groups and students for curbing students from active participation in politics and limiting dissent among youths, especially after the reformasi movement began in 1998.

Many quarters have repeatedly called for the law to be repealed but the government has refused to do so, stating that the law would allow students to focus on their education instead of politics.

Other amendments passed today will see students facing disciplinary action instead of prosecution if found to be involved in political parties or unlawful organisations.

Politicians may also enrol for courses in universities without having to sacrifice their political career, based on the discretion of the vice-chancellor.

Another clause provides for the setting up of a committee to advise the higher education minister on the choice of vice-chancellors and the university’s composition, management and selection of the board of directors and their tenure.