Accusing BN of meddling in university student elections, PAS have urged a reform to avoid teaching youth improper democratic practices at all 20 public universities in Malaysia.

NONEPAS legal affairs and human rights (Juham) youth wing leader Ahmad Zamri As'ad Khuzaimi (left) said that an independent election body must be set up to immediately replace the student affairs office, to counter authorities potentially fixing victories for pro-BN group Aspirasi.

"The situation of unclean and unfair election on campus has made it a corrupted ground, not suitable for introducing and teaching democratic principles to our scholars," Ahmad Zamri said in a statement.

"Campus elections have turned into a mere formality where only pro-BN scholars can stay in power. This allows BN, particularly Umno, to beat their chest and falsely claim that the young generation fully backs them."

PAS said that the alleged lopsided election process in universities has demeaned campus election, which were now less dignified than the election of prefects or classroom heads in primary schools.

Shorter campaiging period

Ahmad listed at least six "advantages" handed to Aspirasi, through the universities' student office affairs and residence hall masters, which he claimed had a heavy-hand in influencing election outcomes.

Among the recent election rule changes, PAS pointed out:

  • Open debates were now disallowed and candidates could only video their messages to be vetted by the authorities;
  • Voting centres were moved from faculty offices to residence hall, where the hall masters are also Aspirasi's advisors;
  • Vote-counting process often done in a secretive, hurried and not-transparent manner;
  • Campaign posters and material follow stringent rules, approved by student affairs office;
  • Election candidates must get the student affairs endorsement and are usually required to undergo a "brainwash" programme; and
  • Campaign periods shortened to two and a half days, from seven days before.

PAS cited that a Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) report had also previously found 18 faults with university election.

Suhakam has written in to 11 higher-learning centres but almost all have ignored their recommendations.

NONEPAS now wants the ministry in charge of higher education to set up an independent election body - comprising scholars and non-alligned academicians - to carry out the polls.

A student group, Pro-Mahasiswa had also last year accused Umno and several government agencies of being involved in a covert operation named 'Opps 2020' to fix victories for the pro-establishment Aspirasi group.

Universiti Malaya deputy vice-chancellor of student affairs Rohana Yusof meanwhile last week denied allegations that university had hosted a political indoctrination event for a group of students last month.