A DAP leader today called on Education Minister Musa Mohamad to look into the legality and legal implications of the Aku janji or I pledge agreement which university students are required to sign.

In a press statement, party publicity bureau secretary Gobind Singh Deo also urged the government to suspend the agreement until proper legal advice is taken and the matter studied in detail.

Gobind was reacting to a report today which quoted Musa as saying the agreement was based on certain sections in the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 as well as other rules on discipline.

The DAP leader said where a statute provides provisions for offences, there is no need for agreements pledging compliance.

Such agreements will be without effect as students and Malaysians are bound to abide by the law of this country, irrespective of whether or not they sign agreements, he added.

Creating confusion

Gobind said DAP is concerned with the governments approach of getting Malaysians to sign such agreements.

It gives the impression that the laws of the country are not effective enough. It further has the effect of creating confusion as to the applicability of the law to those who do not sign the agreement, he remarked.

In view of this, he added, I call upon the minister of education to seriously consider the implications of the agreement before calling upon persons to sign it.

Gobind also said that talk of a father and son relationship between the minister and students must stop.

Fathers dont make agreements with their children. Furthermore, it doesnt address the real issues at hand, he stressed.

The Star report today also quoted the education minister, when explaining what would happen if certain students refused to sign , as saying,  I consider all students in universities as my children.

I am not someone who will mete out punishment on any child does not want to do something. This how we educate our children.

If they dont understand, we should help them to do so as the relationship between father and child should not be full of challenges, said the minister.