The organisers of a cancelled talk at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), which was to feature activist Hishammuddin Rais, has clarified that it was meant to be an informal event.

Ahmad Tajuddin, the spokesperson for the groups Kawah Buku and Diskopi, said the talk was the latest instalment of their informal Sekolah Malam (Night School) series held at UKM's Speakers' Corner.

He said previous Sekolah Malam events at the same venue were held without any incident, and wondered why university authorities were taking issue with the event now.

"How long more will (the university) require students to seek permission for everything? 

"Why isn't UKM requiring written permission from the dozens of students playing (mobile phone games) PUBG or Mobile Legends at the cafeteria, or those in groups watching football together?" he asked.

"Perhaps Speakers' Corner should now be renamed 'Pre-register-to-talk Corner', because to speak there, you need a letter to do so. 

"We have to keep an open mind. Perhaps this is the model of academic freedom which (UKM) has emulated from Harvard University," he added, sarcastically.

'Properly registered'

Hishammuddin was scheduled to appear for the talk titled "Reformasi struktural: Mahathir vs. Anwar lagi?" (Structural reformation: Mahathir vs Anwar again?) at the university's Speakers' Corner last night.

However, UKM vice-chancellor Noor Azlan Ghazali (photo) put a stop to it on grounds that the proper paperwork was not in place.

"We encourage students to come and talk and everything, but especially when it involves inviting an audience from outside, all student programmes must be properly registered.

"It is not so much about vetting the programme, but to make sure things like this can be avoided. I mean, sometimes everybody claims to use the same venue at the same time.

"We want to make sure security is in order, and also that someone is in charge and responsible for the programme. At least we (would) have some information," the vice-chancellor told Malaysiakini today.