The Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights will not interfere in the upcoming campus elections, said its chairperson Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz today.

Speaking to reporters in the Parliament lobby, he said the elections will not be "fair and free" if the caucus interfered.

"Caucus members are all MPs and we have our own political beliefs," he said, adding that "it will not be right for caucus members to be a part of the elections."

Yesterday, Nazri and other caucus members received a memorandum from Malaysian Graduates Solidarity (SMM) representatives who called for the caucus to pledge its full support in ensuring a fair campus elections.

SMM also urged the caucus to intervene in the campus polls and also abolish e-voting.

Meanwhile, Nazri said he has discussed with Higher Education Minister Mustapha Mohamed and the latter agreed to extend the campaigning period by six or seven days.

"However, you have to discuss with the minister (Mustapha) regarding the other demands," he said, adding that he believes that Mustapha will respond to the students' demands.

Be more open

Nazri also urged vice-chancellors (VC) of public universities not to be prejudiced towards students with dissenting views.

"VCs have to be more open. These are our students so let them experience the atmosphere of a free and fair elections," he said.

"This is part and parcel of learning. University is not all about lectures, they also have to learn the way to adapt to the real life out there," he added.

SMM, a coalition of several student movements like Dema, University Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) and Malaysian National Muslim Students Association (Gamis), has also submitted a 30-page memorandum to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam)

They have asked the commission to intervene to ensure a free and fair elections.

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