UM dispute with student group should be resolved amicably, says minister

The dispute between Universiti Malaya and a student group should be resolved amicably through dialogue, said Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.

He said as long as there is room for an amicable solution, the matter should not be escalated to legal action. This is in line with the spirit of the university ecosystem, which is based on openness, education, and fostering student leaders.

“I hope UM would take a more proactive and consultative approach in handling this issue, and that the students would approach this issue with an open heart and in the spirit of seeking the best solution for mutual interests.

“The Higher Education Ministry always promotes the culture of dialogue, mutual understanding, and mutual respect in the nation’s higher education ecosystem,” he said in a statement today.

Zambry said he has obtained an explanation from UM’s management on the issue.

While the minister did not name the student group in question, the statement appeared to refer to an ongoing dispute between UM and the student group Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya (LMUM).

LMUM claimed to have received legal threats from the university for purportedly using the university’s name and logo, despite not being formally registered with the university as a student group.

“We are actually open to registering. But after receiving something like this from the university, we are not sure what will happen next,” said LMUM deputy president Ahsanul Akmal Sulam during a press conference on Tuesday, decrying the move as an act of intimidation.

The university has defended its actions as part of corporate identity management after receiving public complaints about LMUM, which has purportedly damaged the university’s reputation.

The threat of a lawsuit has been criticised by the student activist movement Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia as well as MCA Youth.

Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia also called out Zambry for failing to address the matter.

Meanwhile, Zambry said he is of the view that student groups should respect their university’s rules and guidelines, whether they are officially registered with the university or not, especially on matters related to the use of the institution’s name, logo, and identity.

Universities should also take a more educational approach with unregistered student organisations by approaching them to give them the necessary guidance, he said.

Student group cries intimidation after UM sends legal notice, but hesitant to get registered