The government has no plan to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 as demanded by certain quarters, Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said.

The government, however, was prepared to amend the Act to allow more room for political activism aong students, he added.

NONE "The government does not intend to stifle political activism among students but it should be done in a proper manner," he told Bernama after attending a Radio24 interview programme "Kerusi Panas" at Wisma Bernama in Kuala Lumpur.

He said personally, he did not see anything wrong with university students joining political parties on conditions that they adhered to the rules stipulated by the Act.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin ( right ) said he might proposed to the government that the voting age be lowered from 21 at the moment to 18.

"In many countries which practise democracy, the voting age starts at 18. Only about 20 countries, including Malaysia, which set the voting age at 21," he said.

- Bernama