Student groups: 15 demands for GE15, including lifetime 5-term limit for MPs

A coalition of student groups is making 15 demands for the forthcoming 15th general election (GE15), including limiting individuals to serving a maximum of five terms in the Dewan Rakyat throughout their lifetime.

Gabungan Gerakan Mahasiswa’s demands range from issues involving political reformation and democracy to education, as well as social and economic security.

“We are confident that in building a democratic and successful country, the role and potential of the younger generation should not be neglected.

“We are also aware that the future of the country rests on the shoulders of the younger generation today.

“As such, we would like to state 15 demands that should be considered by potential candidates and the next government to ensure that the agenda of upholding the younger generation can be implemented,” International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Student Union president Alif Naif Mohd Fizam said at a press conference in Restoran Amjal in Kuala Lumpur today. 

One of their demands is to limit individuals to a maximum of five terms as a Member of Parliament throughout the individual’s lifetime, which they say can be done by amending Articles 47(b) and 48 of the Federal Constitution.

Aside from that, the coalition also called for a maximum two-term lifetime limit for the prime minister’s position, which could be done through an amendment to Article 43(1) of the Federal Constitution.

The groups also want more new faces among election candidates that are more inclusive and free from corruption, as well as lowering the age limit for Dewan Negara senators to 25 years.

On education, Gabungan Gerakan Mahasiswa called for the abolition of the University and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku).

They also urged for the formation of a national student union as well as student unions in both public and private universities.

“The unions should be placed equally with the university and not under the Student Affairs Department. The autonomy of the student unions must be preserved by placing them under the Unions Act or the Societies Act,” Alif said.

Additionally, they also demanded free higher education for the B40 low-income group, while the M40 middle-class should be given subsidies for tertiary education.

Students should also be given expenditure subsidies as an incentive, such as subsidies for public transport, health services and daily expenditures, they said.

They also want fairer graduate marketability policies, the implementation of housing projects targeted as rental units for students and better job security for interns.

Gig economy workers also need better protection under the Labour Act, they said.

Gerakan Gabungan Mahasiswa also highlighted the issue of period poverty and demanded a specific allocation for free sanitary towels for women in every educational institution.

There should also be more inclusive policies for people with disabilities to ensure they have access to quality education and disabled-friendly facilities in educational institutions, the groups said.

Finally, the coalition of student groups also urged for better environmental protection in the fight against climate change.

Gabungan Gerakan Mahasiswa will be touring university campuses nationwide to spread the message of their 15 demands, Alif said.

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