The opposition is pressing for more amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA), particularly to clauses that prevent students from 'expressing support or sympathy' to unlawful societies, organisations or other such bodies.

azlan Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara) filed a motion last night to push for amendments to the Act.

This is the second demand for amendments, following the motion by Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) to amend a clause that bars students who hold positions in political parties to contest posts in student associations and bodies.

"Pakatan Rakyat wants a thorough revamp or abolition of the Act, and for a better law to govern our universities," said Pua.

He is objecting to the proposed Section 15(3) that prohibits students from joining any unlawful society, organisation, body or group within or outside Malaysia; or bodies that are not political parties; or those deemed as unsuitable by the university board.

The opposition is pressing for more amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA), particularly to clauses that prevent students from 'expressing support or sympathy' to unlawful societies, organisations or other such bodies.

Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara), who filed a motion last night to push for amendments to the Act, also appealed BN MPs for bipartisan support on their proposal.

Amendments to UUCA as well as the Private Higher Educational Institutions (Amendment) Act 2012 and the Educational Institutions (Discipline) (Amendment) Act 2012, were to grant tertiary-level students the freedom to participate in politics.

This is the second demand for amendments, following the motion by Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) to amend a clause that bars students who hold positions in political parties to contest posts in student associations and bodies.

"Pakatan Rakyat wants a thorough revamp or abolition of the Act, and for a better law to govern our universities," said Pua.

Limiting free speech

He is objecting to the proposed Section 15(3) that prohibits students from joining any unlawful society, organisation, body or group within or outside Malaysia; or bodies that are not political parties; or those deemed as unsuitable by the university board.

Among others, Pua complained that amendments limits the students to commenting only on the field of their disciplines, regarding this as a form of abuse of power.

"How can you say I cannot talk to on other fields than my own field of study? Students not allowed to speak at symposium by an illegal body, that's fair enough, but the university has the right to dictate on any other organisations that a student is not allowed to speak in, that's excessive," he said.

"We cannot accept that students are not allowed to speak at any event deemed not suitable by the university," said Pua.

Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai) added that the Pakatan Rakyat had expressed their views on the amendments at the round table hosted by Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah last year.