DAPSY on UUCA 25th May 2010

Press Statement

25th May 2010

DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) fully supports the abolition of the “anti-democratic” law of the University & University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971.

In line with our stand, we strongly urge University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to:

1. Withdraw the use of this draconian law on UKM political science students -- Muhammad Hilman bin Idham, Muhammad Ismail bin Aminuddin, Azlin Shafina Mohamad Adzha and Woon King Chai -- who were mere observers in the recent Hulu Selangor by-election campaign.

2. Reconsider its decision to charge these students for participating in a political process, a right granted to every citizen of Malaysia as provided for in the Federal Constitution.

Article 119 of the Federal Constitution in Malaysia specifically states that every citizen above the age of 21 is qualified to vote, which is a form of expression and participation in politics. Thus, the provisions under Section 15(5)(a) of the University & University College Act 1971 which disallows students from expressing support and participating in politics is in direct contradiction with the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

The charging of the four students is a reflection of the retrogression of democracy and academic freedom in UKM. By right, UKM should encourage and preserve the academic freedom and pursuance of knowledge by students in order to further research in their respective fields of study.

We urge UKM to respect Article 119 of the Federal constitution that guarantees the freedom of Malaysian citizens to participate in the sovereignty of the democratic practices and processes.

Finally, we call upon Higher Education Minister YB Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin to explain these actions since they seem to be against the spirit of the UUCA amendment in recent times which was to give more room to undergrads to express their political viewpoints.