The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today cautioned certain quarters against 'over-reacting' to the issue of university lecturers dishing out anti-government sentiments during classes as the number of such cases are small.

Commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan told malaysiakini that those who are turning this into a big issue could have a vested interest.

"I am not sure whether they want to be a champion of the issue or something but the fact is that the number of lecturers doing that is minimal," he said.

According to Hamdan, lecturers understand the nature of their job well and not are willing to put political ideologies into their students' heads.

Furthermore, he said, students are open minded and not easily influenced by political ideologies or perceptions.

"There are individuals in a certain political party who want to be a 'champion' by playing up the issue," reiterated Hamdan.

Yesterday, The Sun reported that Umno Youth representatives are to meet Education Minister Musa Mohamad soon to expose university lecturers who include anti-government sentiments in their classes.

Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein was quoted as saying that he has advised the wing's educational bureau head, Dr Adham Baba, to furnish all the evidence to Musa.

Slacken rules

Meanwhile, asked to comment on anti-government campaigns in campuses, Hamdan said it is time for universities to revise several regulations pertaining to student affairs.

Strict rules spark a 'rebellious attitude' hence it becomes easy for certain political parties to influence the students.

On the claim that several vice-chancellors and lecturers are turning a blind eye to such anti-government campaigns, Hamdan said universities take action based on proof, not wild speculations.

The Education Ministry on Wednesday said it was disappointed with some vice-chancellors and lecturers who knew about such campaigns but did not take action because they were afraid of becoming unpopular.