LETTER | Stop restricting student participation in politics

LETTER | The Higher Education Ministry recently drafted a guideline under the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) with the purpose of regulating student involvement in politics on and off campus.

This guideline contains many restrictions which Pemuda Sosialis greatly opposes.

First and foremost, the ability to freely participate in politics coincides with every citizen's right to freedom of speech, assembly, and association which is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution under Article 10.

Considering many students spend most of their time on campus during their study period, limiting students’ participation in politics is a violation of this right.

Like any other adult citizen, Malaysian students are allowed to be active in politics.

Without the unconditional freedom to set up a political branch or division on campus, students will be discouraged from joining political groups resulting in an apolitical and apathetic attitude among the youth which is detrimental to the nation and her democracy.

Besides that, new legislation has made it possible for citizens as young as 18 years old to vote in elections.

This development forms the impression that the government encourages youth participation in politics as every voter should be aware of and involved in political issues to ensure a functioning democracy.

However, the decision to draft such a restrictive guideline contradicts the progress that the country has made.

It is illogical for the ministry to limit the political activity of students who are of legal age to vote. In fact, it is a step backwards that negates the decision made by Parliament, a very insult to the democratic process.

Furthermore, it is apparent that the current national education system, up until the secondary school level, does not adequately educate students on their political rights.

As soon as they leave school, their only opportunity to learn would be through activities organised by political parties and NGOs.

If such activities are prevented from being held on campus, then students would need to travel outside of campus in order to do so.

Since many students staying in hostels are campus-bound, they do not have the privilege and means of leaving campus as they please.

This would disproportionately affect underprivileged students’ chances of gaining political literacy, stifling the voices of lower-income groups in the nation’s political arena.

In summary, the deliberate decision to limit student participation in politics is backwards and a very tired tactic by a power-hungry government to interfere with the democratic process.

Pemuda Sosialis not only demands the ministry scrap this guideline but also for the total abolition of the UUCA.

Students should have no unnecessary restrictions on their ability to participate in politics. Thus, we urge all youths and politically-involved organisations to oppose the guideline and continue their work in student politics.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.