KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 — Advocating academic freedom, PAS formed today a taskforce to address the dangers of political interference in education.
The initiative follows the alleged sacking of a Universiti Malaya dean whose surveys on politics allegedly irked Putrajaya.
“We are drafting an action plan soon for us to take appropriate actions to not just to fight for academic freedom but also to create awareness among the public about the dangers of political restraints on our education,” PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub told reporters at the party headquarters here.
He added that the taskforce would invite academics, education experts and leaders from both sides of the political divide, as well as education groups.
Salahuddin, who said he would chair the panel, said his party will contribute at least five other members, including party Research Centre executive director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Despite denials from two federal ministers of any “Putrajaya interference”, who claimed the survey reports were not significant enough and did not merit Putrajaya’s attention, Professor Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman has claimed he was sacked as director of Universiti Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMcedel).
He was allegedly terminated before the expiration of his contract.
Today, Salahuddin also stressed the importance of academic freedom for Malaysian universities to excel globally and contribute “original and fundamental” ideas.
“We want our public universities to excel in the future and to be given their freedom.
“I dream and we all hope that one day there will be an academic here who can win the Nobel Laureate,” he said.
