University And University Colleges (Amendment) Bill Passed

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Parliament Thursday night passed the University and University Colleges (Amendment) Bill which sought to allow university students to hold posts in any associations or organisations inside and outside campus.

The amendments involved replacing sub-section 15(2)(c) of the law which prohibited students from contesting in elections or holding post in any associations or bodies in campus if they held post in political parties.

Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau), who moved the motion to replace the sub-section, said that the law gave rooms for certain quarters to continue to criticise the government.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in winding up the debate on the bill, said the proposed amendment was aimed at reaching a balance between political freedom and the education objective.

On concern raised by some members of parliament that the amendment could adversely affect the role of universities and the students' studies, he said, the matter had been considered by the country's leadership.

Datuk Dr Mohamed Shahrum Osman (BN-Lipis) said he was worried if problems arose in campus due to spread of party ideology and partisan politics.

He hoped that students would use wisely the opportunity provided to them by the government and not to be distracted from their studies.

He also hoped that the university administration would advise students to use wisely the freedom that had been given to them and not to allow themselves to be used by any quarters.