Academicians cannot use the notion of academic freedom as a blank cheque to raise matters on any issue, especially pertaining to the ‘social contract’.

NONE According to International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation distinguished professor Mohd Kamal Hassan (left) , academicians who use their position to question such matters could be influenced by interested parties.

Reporting his conversation with the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) professor, Berita Harian columnist Mohd Feroz Abu Bakar said that Mohd Kamal felt that such academicians are "unduly influenced by outsiders or political parties".

"But (these academicians) must provide views in ethically and responsibly and not in an egoistic and emotional manner, and should not be partisan nor cross the bounds of local decorum," today’s column read.

The column, entitled ‘Academicians must know the limits to expressing their views’, the column further cites the professor as saying that among things which should not be touched are matters enshrined in the federal constitution:

  • the position of the Malay language as the national language,
  • the position Islam as the religion of the federation, and
  • the position of the Malay rulers as heads of religion.

‘Avoid anarchy on campus’

While the column does not specifically name him, an academician who has recently landed himself in hot water for comments on the decree of the Selangor sultan is UIA constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari.

azlan His suspension over the matter, lifted on Monday, sparked protests in the legal and academic fraternity, and led to a student demonstration on the UIA campus last Friday. 

Seemingly referring to this, Mohd Kamal, who is a former UIA rector, was reported to have said that limits also apply to students, to “avoid anarchy or disturbances on or off campus”.

However, he was also quoted as saying that the Higher Education Ministry should ease restrictions on students “so they can air their views, but in a disciplined and polite manner as members of the academic fraternity”.

“Students who are matured and rational, as well as polite, know their limits and responsibilities.

“Their views should be voiced not in the form of rhetoric a la political parties but through academic research based on facts and data,” Mohd Kamal said.

Although his suspension has been lifted, Aziz is still under probe by UIA, the police and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for his remarks on the decree by the Selangor sultan.