PM: STUDENTS CAN STATE OPINIONS
But it must be based on facts and evidence, says Ismail Sabri
STUDENTS are allowed to state their opinion about the government, but it must be based on facts and evidence, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
“They surely can. They can vent their feelings and views on what the government does. There is nothing wrong with that.
“I know students have great knowledge, but what is important is they should be responsible for their actions.
“Every word they utter must be factual and backed by evidence. We can criticise and be critical, but whatever they have in their minds must be from facts, not emotions.”
Ismail Sabri said this during Keluarga Malaysia@IPT at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris here yesterday.
Present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.
Ismail Sabri said the government recognised the younger generation’s views and had gazetted the voting age to 18 (Undi18) as he believed students were able to choose their future leaders.
“So many people were sceptical about Undi18 and believed students were not enough mature enough to choose their leaders.
“Some said that they were too young to decide the future of the country.
“However, together, we decide who should lead the countr. By Jan 1, those aged 18 will automatically become voters.”
He announced that a Keluarga Malaysia Research and Education Centre would be set up at UPSI.
“As a leading institution that brings change to education, I want this centre to be located here.
“I hope that this centre can institutionalise the Keluarga Malaysia concept by becoming a hub for research, education, training, and knowledge dissemination for Malaysians.
“I am optimistic that with the creativity, innovation and strategic collaboration involving various parties, this centre can play a significant role in increasing, promoting and disseminating the concept and efforts to cultivate the values of Keluarga Malaysia.”
He also congratulated UPSI for celebrating its 100th anniversary on Nov 29. “Today, UPSI is moving fast in building excellence and providing competition to other renowned universities.
“UPSI continues its legacy, carving out excellence and building fame nationally and abroad.
UPSI has the capabilities and the idealism of its citizens in managing a nationally renowned educational university.”
Undi18 involves lowering the voting age to 18 from 21 and implementation of automatic voter registration.
Some 5.8 million people aged 18 and above will be included in the electorate roll following this, raising the number of voters from 15 million to 20 million people.