The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has welcomed the Higher Education Ministry's move to hold initial consultation with students representatives, stakeholders and the commission on the plan to amend Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1974 (UUCA).

NONE Its chairperson Hasmy Agam ( left ) hoped that further public consultations and open dialogues on the issue could be held that would lead to students attaining more rights and freedom.

"The economic, civil and political rights awareness among the university students and their participation in discussions on issues of national interest must be viewed positively to complement and supplement the formal education and training that they receive in the university," Hasmy said in a statement.

He said any "unreasonable curtailment of the exercise of their rights and these experiences" would deny them an education and experience as future leaders of the country.

He also expressed the commission's "great concern" on the recent decision taken by local universities to suspend students who had expressed their opinions and for allegedly damaging the good name of the institutions and disrupting public order.

Hasmy said the actions not only curtailed the fundamental rights of the students but were also contrary to the announcement by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to amend Section 15 of the UUCA to allow university students aged 21 and above space to exercise of their rights.

- Bernama