The recent report of Kuek Ser Kuang Keng regarding the mechanism of campus polls in our public universities validates the fears of concerned groups and individuals in the country that campus elections are anything but democratic ( The black spots in campus polls ).

As shown by the malaysiakini report, the procedures designed by the university authorities for student elections are particularly stacked against those who are considered 'different' from the so-called 'aspirasi' group of students who are known for their 'pro-government' stand.

The action taken by the universities amounts to criminalising the very essence of intellectual freedom and excellence, i.e. the ability and freedom of students (and academics) to debate, differ and dissent.

Are we parents to believe that our children in the universities are meant to be straight-jacketed into one stream of consciousness and, as a result, deprived of other perspectives of things in life? We shudder the thought of sending our children to the local universities only to have them wear intellectual blinkers that are so often displayed by some parliamentarians and politicians.

Is this the kind of intellectual robustness that the local universities are supposed to cultivate among students? Is it, therefore, any wonder why many of the local graduates are shunned by certain, especially international, employers as they do not have what it takes?

And yet despite these obvious shortcomings in intellectual vibrancy and democracy, the government seems hell-bent to maintain the undemocratic UUCA (Universities and University Colleges Act) that stifles dynamic and critical thinking among students (if not some of the academic staff). The government should think of the long-term social, cultural and political implications to the nation, and not merely of short-term (political) gains.

As the government has not given an indication that it is willing to make meaningful reform in campuses, the minister of higher education should do us ordinary Malaysians a favour by abolishing campus elections altogether so that we are saved this ignominy of keeping the charade of having campus democracy in the country.

And also not to forget, stop this thing about making Malaysia a hub of academic excellence. Let us call a spade a spade.