The government has no plans to amend the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) because the provisions of existing laws are sufficient to address issues such as the intrusion at Universiti Malaya (UM).

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the issue could be handled by the UM administrastion without the need for additions or amendments to the UUCA.

“After all, it is UM’s business. The ministry has never interfered in UM’s administration and activities, including what happened recently,” said Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister.

About 300 youths, including university students, intruded into UM on Monday to attend a talk by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Since the talk did not receive approval from the UM administration, the security guards locked the main gate of the university.

UM had lodged a police report on the intrusion and was investigating the students involved under the UCCA and its constitution.

Muhyiddin said the matter was being studied by the UM administration, the vice-chancellor and the deputy vice-chancellor of student affairs.

“If it is proven that offences were committed under the UUCA, the Criminal Procedure Code or security laws, then it is up to the UM administration to act accordingly.

“Trespassing is an offence because the university’s campus is private property. What more, if you commit offences such as the violence shown by photographs in the media,” he added.

- Bernama

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