Ex-minister slams 'leaked UKM memo' silencing academics

A purportedly leaked memo from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) prohibiting academics from making public statements has courted strong criticism from a former minister.

Saifuddin Abdullah said its contents undermined the core principles of academic freedom.

The Perikatan Nasional MP for Indera Mahkota stressed that academics serve as the conscience of society, and the university’s actions, as reflected in the memo, fail to uphold this essential role.

“(A university’s) soul is academic freedom - freedom to think, teach, research, publish and share - including with the public. That is why we have the term ‘public intellectual’. Academics also serve as the conscience of the society.

“This circular does not respect these traits. It does not augur well for a university and academic excellence with soul,” he told Malaysiakini, expressing concern over the impact this may have on intellectual freedom and discourse.

Saifuddin was the deputy higher education minister from 2008 to 2013, during which he advocated greater academic freedom. He heads PN’s education bureau.

He had also served as communications and multimedia minister under Muhyiddin Yassin’s premiership and as foreign minister under Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Prohibition

Former education minister Maszlee Malik yesterday shared the leaked memo, dated Oct 8.

It reminded UKM academics that they were prohibited from making public statements, including on social media unless they had authorisation.

It warned that violations could result in disciplinary action, reinforcing the regulations set under the Statutory Bodies Act (Discipline and Surcharge) 2000 (Act 605).

Saifuddin emphasised that a university’s true essence is its knowledge culture and the freedom to think, teach, research, and engage with the public.

“A university is not about buildings and infrastructure. It is about knowledge culture and the intensity of interaction among its members, especially the academics.”

He said he hoped the memo was not another attempt by the government to cover its weaknesses.

“I hope this is not another step in further suppressing freedom of speech and trying very hard to cover its weaknesses,” he said.

Address issue accordingly

The memo cited the Chief Secretary to the Government, Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, referencing a directive from the 2024 Prime Minister’s Department management meeting.

It outlined prohibitions for all public servants, including those from statutory bodies, on making public statements that could be seen as detrimental to government policies, plans, or decisions.

In response to this leak, Saifuddin revealed that he had reached out to Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir, a former academic, urging him to address the issue.

“I hope he will address this issue accordingly. He is a former academic. I believe he understands my concern,” he added.

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