Three public consultation sessions will be held to obtain feedback on the proposed amendment to Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971.

The Act's Amendment Committee chairman Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmood said the sessions would be held in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 7, Kuching, Sarawak (Jan 9) and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Jan 11).

In a statement today, Nik Ahmad Kamal said they needed feedback from university and college students, academic and non-academic staff.

"In addition to feedback from this main group, views from the people as a whole would be taken into account because political freedom for students would have a big impact on all," he said.

Organisations, bodies or agencies who wish to participate in the sessions may contact the secretariat at 03-8870 6215 or 03-8870 6728 or email aukuwg@mohe.gov.my for further information.     

Nik Ahmad Kamal said students interested in the sessions need to register with the committee's secretariat first for smoother administration.

The public are still welcome to air their views through the questionnaire on the Higher Education Ministry's website www.mohe.gov.my and Facebook www.facebook.com/aukuwg or secretariat email.

In November 2011, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that the section would be amended to enable students 21 years and above to join political parties.

A 10-member committee, comprising academicians from various universities and chaired by Nik Ahmad Kamal, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (student affairs) deputy rector, was then formed to present proposals on the amendment.  

- Bernama