KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that university students must be given full freedom without restrictions that could impede their activities or prevent them from voicing their views at institutions of higher learning.
He said this was important to ensure universities once again serve as platforms for critical thinking and fresh perspectives in addressing the challenges facing education today.
Anwar said university managements and the relevant ministry must recognise that students should be given full freedom to foster a more dynamic intellectual culture.
“We must accept that university students should be given full freedom without restrictions that hinder their activities. Whether we agree or disagree is another matter...we can debate and challenge students to defend their arguments.
“But universities must be a platform for critical and fresh thinking,” he said at the Malaysia MADANI Scholars Forum Series 13 at Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Malaya, here tonight.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, who also moderated the forum, directed that any disciplinary action taken against students solely for voicing criticism or academic views be withdrawn immediately.
He said the government was firm in its position that university students and academics at institutions of higher learning should be given full freedom, without restrictions.
“If students have been subjected to disciplinary action simply because of their views or criticisms, including criticism of the Prime Minister, such action should be withdrawn starting tomorrow. If it is a police case, yes...that is a different matter,” he said.
However, Anwar stressed that such freedom did not mean students could act outside the law, including damaging public property.
“You can voice your cause, but you cannot cause disruption or damage public property. Do not misunderstand what we mean by freedom. If you want to voice your views, express your opinions or submit a memorandum...that is welcomed,” he said.
On calls and discussions to improve the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), the Prime Minister said any amendments to the law must not be used to strengthen the powers of the government or minister.
Instead, he said the government was prepared to reduce the centralisation of powers within the ministry to give universities greater flexibility and more administrative and academic autonomy.
The forum, themed ‘The Future of National Education and the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU)’, featured Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek and Academy of Sciences Malaysia president Tengku Datuk Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen as panellists.
Anwar said university managements and the relevant ministry must recognise that students should be given full freedom to foster a more dynamic intellectual culture.
“We must accept that university students should be given full freedom without restrictions that hinder their activities. Whether we agree or disagree is another matter...we can debate and challenge students to defend their arguments.
“But universities must be a platform for critical and fresh thinking,” he said at the Malaysia MADANI Scholars Forum Series 13 at Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Malaya, here tonight.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, who also moderated the forum, directed that any disciplinary action taken against students solely for voicing criticism or academic views be withdrawn immediately.
He said the government was firm in its position that university students and academics at institutions of higher learning should be given full freedom, without restrictions.
“If students have been subjected to disciplinary action simply because of their views or criticisms, including criticism of the Prime Minister, such action should be withdrawn starting tomorrow. If it is a police case, yes...that is a different matter,” he said.
However, Anwar stressed that such freedom did not mean students could act outside the law, including damaging public property.
“You can voice your cause, but you cannot cause disruption or damage public property. Do not misunderstand what we mean by freedom. If you want to voice your views, express your opinions or submit a memorandum...that is welcomed,” he said.
On calls and discussions to improve the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), the Prime Minister said any amendments to the law must not be used to strengthen the powers of the government or minister.
Instead, he said the government was prepared to reduce the centralisation of powers within the ministry to give universities greater flexibility and more administrative and academic autonomy.
The forum, themed ‘The Future of National Education and the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU)’, featured Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek and Academy of Sciences Malaysia president Tengku Datuk Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen as panellists.