Legislative amendments were tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today, to allow tertiary-level students the freedom to participate in political activities.

azlan The amendment to Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) will allow students to sign up for membership in any political party.

However, it also stipulates that students who hold posts in political parties will be prohibited from running for campus elections and holding posts in students’ societies, organisations, bodies or groups in their institutions of learning.

Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin said this is to maintain neutrality on campus.

However, students will be allowed to join societies, organisations, body or groups on campus even if they are members of a political party.

Three Bills were tabled for the first reading today: the UUCA (Amendment) Act 2012, the Private Higher Educational Institutions (Amendment) Act 2012 and the Educational Institutions (Discipline) (Amendment) Act 2012.

The UUCA governs students enrolled in public higher learning institutions, while the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act covers those in private institutions.

university students multiracial The amendments propose to bar students from joining any unlawful society, organisation, body or group within or outside Malaysia; or bodies that are not political parties; or those deemed as unsuitable by the university board.

Students will be restricted from expressing support or sympathy with - or opposition to - any unlawful society, organisation or other such bodies.

They will be allowed to make statements on an academic matter relating to a subject of study or research, and to express themselves at seminars and symposiums that are not organised or sponsored by any unlawful body.

A new provision in the UUCA Amendment Bill seeks to appoint a director-general of higher education to keep and maintain a National Higher Education Register.

This means that tertiary institutions will have to maintain a database, to which the higher education minister will have access.

A Students’ Complaints Committee will have powers to conduct investigations or inquiries into complaints by students.

No more criminal sanctions

At a press conference after tabling the amendments, Khaled said the Students’ Complaints Committee will be a platform for students with problems but who have no avenue to air their grievances.

NONE “We suggested that ... the committee be headed by the vice-chancellor, students’ representatives and representatives of the students’ alumni to hear the grouses,” he said.

There will no longer be criminal sanctions - just internal disciplinary action - against students who breach the provisions of the laws.

Asked if students above the voting age will be allowed to stand as candidates in a general election, Khaled said: "Yes, it depends on them."

As to whether the government anticipates that students will join political parties, he said this is "irrelevant".

"We have faith in the students’ maturity. We respect their choices. They can decide for themselves on their priorities, and it's up to them utilise the freedom given.”

Khaled added that the second reading of the Bills is expected to be slotted in next week.