The issue of education was described as an 'off tangent' topic at a conference on youth leadership in Kuala Lumpur, evoking laughter from the 200-odd audience.

In his speech, DAP Youth chief Nga Kor Ming (left) had raised the need to revamp the country's education system.

However, Abdul Razak Baginda, who was chairing the conference, said the topic could 'open up a lot of sensitive things'.

The one-day conference , themed Youth Leadership: The Challenges of Globalisation, was organised by the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre (MSRC).

"We should not tolerate any form of bigotry, racial chauvinism and retarded form of democracy in our educational system. To achieve this, a reform needs to be done to our education system," Nga told the audience.

The DAP Youth leader also called for an end to the Akujanji pledge, which academics and students have to ink.

He described it as a 'grievous assault and insult to human dignity and fundamental liberties'.

Campus polls

Nga also stressed on the need to restore free campus elections, citing that in the past such an environment had allowed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim to hone their leadership skills.

He noted that the current elections in local campuses is a 'competition between students and administrations and not between students and students'.

He said that academic freedom and campus autonomy must also be practised.

"The present system of appointment of top level academicians by the minister has its inherent weaknesses. As they are appointed, obedience is the key word to survive," he added.

Despite describing the topic as 'off tangent', Abdul Razak, who is also the executive director MSRC, supported Nga's stand on the Akujanji pledge.

He also agreed that the appointment of vice-chancellors should be left to election of those in the universities, without external interference.

Political awareness

Meanwhile, MIC national puteri chief J Usha Nandhini, who was one of the speakers, said youths must be encouraged to engage in politics.

"What we should be encouraging today among our youths especially in the field of leadership is political awareness and engagement. A lot of people don't have time for politics.

"Politics is really about participating and decision making. It's about sharing power, bargaining, negotiating at all levels and all issues," she added.

According to her, the authorities should provide training and education in leadership - formal and informal - particularly to young women.

"There is a great need to train potential youth leaders in areas such as leadership skills," she said

"While youth leadership in Malaysia has come a long way, a lot more needs to be done. What is important is the implementation of carefully planned leadership programmes and a change of mindset among the youth themselves," she added.

Other speakers included Puteri Umno education bureau chief Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi and Young Entrepreneurs' Association of Malaysia vice-president Kee Wah Soong.