Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that university management and relevant ministries should accept that students need to be given greater freedom to foster a more dynamic academic culture.
He said students should be allowed to express themselves freely without restrictions that could hinder their activities or prevent them from voicing their opinions at higher education institutions (IPTs).
Anwar calls for disciplinary actions against students to be withdrawn
While speaking at the 13th Malaysia MADANI Scholars Forum, themed The Future of National Education and the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU), at Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Malaya yesterday, Anwar emphasised the importance of allowing universities to once again serve as spaces for critical thinking and fresh perspectives, especially as they face the challenges of education today.
He said students should be given the freedom to express their views and develop their own ideas, even when their opinions may not be shared by others.
“We must accept that university students should be given full freedom without any restrictions that hinder their activities. Whether we agree with them or not is another matter. We can debate and challenge students to defend their arguments.”
Anwar also called for any disciplinary action taken against students solely for voicing criticism or academic opinions to be withdrawn immediately.
“If any students have been subjected to disciplinary action simply because of their views or criticism, including criticism of the Prime Minister, I believe they should be released from such action starting tomorrow. If it involves a police case, that is a different matter,” he said.
“Don’t misunderstand what we mean by freedom”
Anwar also clarified that giving students greater freedom does not mean allowing them to act outside the law, such as damaging public property.
“You can voice your position, but you cannot disrupt public order or damage public property. Don’t misunderstand what we mean by freedom. If you want to voice your views, share your opinions or submit a memorandum, that is welcomed,” he said.
Meanwhile, on calls to review and improve the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), Anwar said any amendments should not be used to strengthen the powers of the government or ministers.
Instead, he said the government was open to reducing the ministry’s centralised control and giving universities more flexibility and autonomy in their administrative and academic affairs.
“Any amendments must not be used to strengthen the minister’s powers. Instead, they should reduce the power of the government, minister or ministry itself, while giving universities greater flexibility and freedom,” he said.
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