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Amend The Universities and University Colleges Act 1974. Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on 23 August 1999. | |||||||
| Since the landslide victory of Barisan Nasional in the 1995 general elections, there has been a groundswell of disaffection and discontent which are more visible among the Malay youths, especially students in institutes of higher learning such as universities. The Education Minister Dato' Seri Najib and his cousin the acting UMNO Youth leader Datuk Hishamuddin have come out with statements on how to deal with the frustrations of university students. The acting UMNO Youth leader said that there was no need to amend the UUCA: solving the problems of welfare and scholarship would be enough. The Education Minister stressed that the Government was prepared to listen and to consider the views of students. We hope he does that all the time. Taking care of student welfare, the just award of sholarships and other similar matters should help to alleviate certain grouses. But, the fundamental issues of the Act involve the establishment of institutes of higher learning, their administration, the teaching | |
staff members and the freedom and activities of students. The rights to freedom of speech and freedom of association have been severely restricted. The students have been shackled by the introduction of the Act since the 70s when there were student demonstrations. Institutes of higher learning provide, among other things, ideal places to teach students to learn how to think. Both Dato' Seri Najib and Datuk Hishamuddin should look into the various aspects of the Act and find out in what ways does it constrain the students including the ability to think for themselves. We propose that the Education Ministry review the Act and amend the relevant sections to pave the way for institutes of higher learning in Malaysia leapfrogging into the new millennium. The ways with which students are treated should be comparable with those given to their counterparts in internationally renown universities. Let us move towards achieving world-class quality of education as enshrined in the 1995 Education Act.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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