Let’s hear it from students
> Varsity youths should be allowed to express political views, urge experts
PUTRAJAYA: Students from institutions of higher learning should be encouraged to express their political views irrespective of whether it is inside or outside campus, said parliamentary researcher Jay Jay Denis.
Admitting that the stifling of political activities among students under the then education minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the 70s and 80s has caused political awareness among students to regress, Denis said millenials are not as politically involved in expressing their views.
“The Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) is the primary reason a majority of millennials today are not interested in politics as they have been completely excluded from issues of governance, with no chance to have their say.
“Political awareness must be instilled in students as it clearly builds character during their developing years in university. In addition, students who are given the opportunity to participate in politics at tertiary level would be better informed in making choices and deciding their political affiliation,” he told theSun, yesterday.
The UUCA, which was amended in 2012 to include students to engage in associations, bodies or groups including political parties while off campus, was not enough as there are still cases of students who engage in peaceful demonstrations being hauled up by the authorities, he said.
“The law is clear but cases such as the one involving 15 university students who attended the ‘Tangkap MO1’ assembly still shows that students are not allowed to DAP deputy president Gobind Singh Deo, who was earlier tipped to contest against MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Tee Yong in Labis, is more likely to go for another Johor seat – Kulai – in GE14.
Kulai incumbent Teo Nie Ching will move to Kluang to defend the DAP turf, as incumbent MP Liew Chin Tong will be taking on MCA No. 2, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, in Ayer Hitam, China Press reported yesterday.
DAP had earlier announced that Damansara Utara assemblyman Yeo Bee Yin will replace incumbent Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa, as part of the strategy that underlines Pakatan Harapan’s (Pakatan) determination to capture participate actively in politics.”
Denis said Mahathir’s pledge to abolish the act should Pakatan Harapan come to power is most welcomed as it rights the wrongs of the past.
Hoo Kee Ping, an economist and keen observer of politics said this was indeed a welcome change for tertiary students.
“This is indeed good news. I have always been against the UUCA,” he told theSun.
When asked if this would distract students from their studies, he said it is important for students to find a balance between their political involvement and studies.
“Of course it will be distracting. But they must find a balance. Balance between politics, studies and even boyfriend and girlfriend,” he said. Johor in the coming polls.
According to China Press, the void to be left by Gobind in Puchong will be filled by either Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh or Sri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah.
A source said Yeoh is the favoured choice as her fiveyear experience as Selangor state assembly speaker puts her in good stead for the Dewan Rakyat speaker post should Pakatan win the polls.