Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recent warning that stern measures would be taken against students involved in anti-government activities, was criticised by an opposition leader today who argued that these fear tactics would prevent students from developing leadership qualities.

"We are appalled by the prime minister's warning," said PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali in a press statement.

Syed Husin, who is also the Barisan Alternatif (BA)'s education bureau chief, accused the government of practising double-standards by dealing leniently with students whose political leanings are towards the government.

On Sunday, a Bernama report quoted the premier as saying that students who were involved in anti-government activities would face expulsion.

The next day, malaysiakini reported that several students of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang have signed up to be members of Puteri Umno, a new Umno auxiliary targeted at young women aged between 18 and 35 years.

School of thought

Syed said university education does not mean studying and passing examinations alone but also to train students to think in an "independent, rational, critical and creative manner".

Such thinking will only come about if students are exposed to extra-curricular activities, including politics, he added.

The opposition leader also revealed that a condition imposed in scholarship agreements is among the government's many moves to curb students' participation in politics.

The condition stipulates that financial aid will be retracted if the recipient student is found to be involved in political activities.

Another factor which prevents students' involvement in politics is the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (as amended in 1974), which prohibits students from joining any political party.

Last week also saw the arrest of two students Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin, 24, and Mohamad Fuad Mohd Ikhwan, 22, under the Internal Security Act (ISA) - a law which is invoked against those perceived to be a threat to national security.

There has been speculation that the arrests were linked to the fire which gutted the historical Dewan Tunku Canselor building in Universiti Malaya on June 29.

Following the blaze, Umno politicians alleged that it was the work of students, executed to prevent Mahathir from visiting the university the next day. The premier himself revealed that there were signs of 'militancy' emerging among students.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Ethnic polarisation

Meanwhile, on the intended establishment of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar), Syed said that the institution autonomy and academic excellence may be overshadowed by the interference of political parties.

Last week, MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik announced that the government had, in principle, approved the setting up of a private university to be named Utar.

However, the status of MCA's Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) College will remain unchanged.

TAR College was founded by MCA in 1969 after the Chinese community failed to gain approval from the government for a private Merdeka University.

Syed added that BA is worried that Utar will ultimately cater almost exclusively for Chinese students and aggravate ethnic polarisation within and among universities.

"If it is done in the same manner as UiTM (Universiti Teknologi Mara) which has been confined entirely to bumiputra students, it will not augur well for the strengthening of national unity," he said.