The organising society of a university-level debate today refuted allegations that it replaced a couple of topics due to pressure from university authorities.

"The organiser, the Chinese Language Society (PBC) of Universiti Malaysia, received full co-operation from the university in running the debate," a source close to the organiser told malaysiakini on condition of anonymity.

On Tuesday, it was reported that the Chinese Students Association of Universiti Putra Malaysia accused the UM student affairs deputy vice-chancellor Prof Hashim Yaacob of interference when he allegedly asked for changes to the topics of the Eighth National Universities and Colleges Chinese Debate.

"We object to the UM deputy vice-chancellor's instruction to replace two topics that were said to be 'sensitive' and 'involving government policy', and 'therefore inappropriate for open debate'," said the leader of the association.

The 'controversial' topics were - "Rotation of ruling parties serves to protect the interest of the Chinese community", and "Elections for the mayor's post will be beneficial to the city".

The UPM association reiterated that it respected the right of the university to change the topics, but added that changes should not be done abruptly long after all involved parties have agreed to the original ones.

"The topics have been checked and approved by the UM student affairs department; and the topics were not sensitive at all," said the UPM student body.

It also strongly condemned the university authorities' interference in student independence and critical thinking.

'Sensitive' and 'inappropriate'

In early September, UM authorities had selected and approved 15 topics, including the 'contentious' ones, for the debate. The contesting teams then drew for their topics and started their preparations.

A month later, the organiser was informed by the university authorities that "the topics were not suitable", "sensitive" and related to "social and religious issues".

Various sources told malaysiakini that the UM deputy vice-chancellor had indeed asked the organiser to change the two 'contentious' topics.

The organiser, who had asked to retain the topics initially, had to accede in the end, affecting the preparations of four teams, namely UTM, UM, UPM and Southern College (Johor Bahru).

Threat to freedom

Lee Khai Loon, the secretary of the Malaysian Youth and Student Democratic Movement (Dema), said the instruction was no less than a threat to the freedom of students to organise their activities.

The source close to the organiser said it had a closed-door meeting with representatives of all participating teams on the matter.

"An apology was issued and they have accepted it," said the source. Tomorrow is the semi-final of the debate.