Student groups press for 'Opps2020' probe
A coalition of student groups has demanded that the government investigate allegations of an Umno plot to manipulate campus elections, or ‘more aggressive action'.
A coalition of student groups has demanded that the government investigate allegations of an Umno plot to manipulate campus elections, or ‘more aggressive action'.
"We hope that this issue will be taken seriously by the government and a full scale investigation launched, or we will take more aggressive action to dismantle the operation," said pro-Mahasiswa
Nasional spokesperson (PMN) Edikoup Lakip Sediyanto (
right in
photo
) in a press statement.
The students drawn from pro-mahasiswa factions of every university, are urging individuals involved in the so-called plot to come forward and confess or explain, failing which they will go from campus to campus exposing them.
Yesterday, PMN and Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) revealed details of an alleged meeting on January 25, 2012 of Umno leaders, ministers' aides, government agencies and police officers to organize an operation called ‘Opps2020' to ensure victory for pro-establishment groups in campus elections.
According to the minutes leaked to them, the meeting was chaired by National Civics Bureau (BTN) fellow Irmohizam Ibrahim, the prime minister's special officer.
Other attendees included Umno leaders such as Umno Youth vice-chief and education bureau chief Razali Ibrahim and Umno Youth exco member Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz.
"The indoctrination of only one political party in university campuses is against the principles of democracy," said Edikoup.
He accused Umno of using government machinery for their political interests, saying that institutions such as the BTN, Higher Education Ministry (Mohe) and the police were being used to stifle student democracy.
The student activist was also sceptical of Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah's denial of knowing such a conspiracy last month.
"How could he not know about the operation when the higher education minister's political secretary Mohd Khairi Bin A Malik and special officer Mohd Arif Adenan attended the meeting, along with other Mohe officers?" he asked.
"We will not be quiet until this issue is resolved.
"The welfare and intellect of student must be preserved because they are the future leaders of the country, who will need a mature and open education," added Edikoup.
Attempts by Malaysiakini to contact Razali, Tun Faisal, and other individuals who allegedly attended the meeting have thus far have been unsuccessful.
Related stories
