Students want a better tomorrow for Malaysia, post-Mahathir
Seven organisations representing undergraduates from local universities called upon the new leader who will be replacing Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he resigns next year, to create a better Malaysia in the post-Mahathir era.
In a joint declaration, the students called on Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi or whoever the new premier may turn out to be eventually, to implement better policies for the country's political, religious and economic environments.
In a media statement released yesterday, the political education unit at the Policy Research Institute (UPP-IKD) said as advocates for society, students must come forward to seize the chance to voice out their aspirations and demands for the post-Mahathir era.
"We sincerely hope that all parties look upon this declaration seriously as the aspiration of the students. We invite all students organisations to come forward and together support this declaration to strengthen the students' voice," said UPP-IKD chairperson Hamdi Mokhtar.
Besides UPP-IKD which is based in Bangsar Utama, Kuala Lumpur, the declaration has been endorsed to date, by National Muslim Students Association and the student councils of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Demands
The students sought, among others, a constructive political freedom but condemned any political oppression and pressure on as well as hindrances to alternative opinion.
They also hoped for freedom of education where there would be free and fair access to basic education.
"We say no to the politicisation of education. Policy making and implementation should be made by specialists and scholars such as the Education Ministry and other academicians, not politicians."
They also called for the implementation of social policies that encourage unity and harmony within " Bangsa Malaysia (the Malaysian race)" while any policy that encourages the division and stratification of races must be avoided.
"We say yes to the sovereignty of law and judicial independence in [keeping with] global demands, for the welfare and justice of all Malaysians."
They also rejected any attempt to disregard the law, undemocratic laws and executive infringement on the judiciary.
They wanted transparent policies that encourage responsible and progressive economic management to prepare the country to face the onslaught of globalisation.
"We will not tolerate collusion, cronyism and nepotism that are sucking out the nation's wealth," they said.
They insisted that the new leader of the country must strive for a fair, transparent and responsible media which are free from political involvement. The media would only serve truth and not act as propaganda agents of certain parties.
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