Remove Bars On University Students

We continue to ponder why our students are still lagging far behind students in other countries.

This question of students’ progress or backwardness can be approached from many angles.Let us examine how awareness is sparked among them,which may indicate how the intellect is nurtured.

In the past,they were at the forefront of progress and led the struggle to help poor people.

The history of the student movement in Malaysia began even before independence.During that time,a couple of nationalist youth movements had emerged,such as the Kesatuan Melayu Muda and Kesatuan Melayu Singapura.

Later,the student movement faced many challenges.Its high point was in 1974 when it successfully mobilized people to join demonstrations at Merdeka Square to fight for the poor.That even is remembered today as “Demonstrasi Baling”.

As a result,the government tightened the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) and barred students from expressing their opinion.This weakened the student movement considerably.

Through Parliament amended the UUCA last week,students are still not allowed to join political parties.

The government should repeal all draconian sections in the Act to develop a new generation of progressive-thinking students.


Nor Aida binti Rosely
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