MAY 10 — I am writing in response to the show-cause letters received by the four Universiti Malaya student council leaders, who flashed “No TPPA” placards during US President Barack Obama's Town hall meeting at the campus.
It is appalling to learn that the reason stated in those show-cause letters is “the students have tainted or jeopardised the interest, harmony or the good name of the university”.
Are we in Myanmar or Zimbabwe, where freedom of speech and freedom of expression can only be found in the mythos lying on the bookshelf of the library?
As one of the participants of the town hall meeting, I did not see any commotion or untoward incident on that day. The students’ actions were far from tainting the good name of the university or jeopardising the harmony. The programme went on without a hitch.
I am deeply saddened by the decision of the university authority. It is a disgrace and outright embarrassment to all Malaysians that the oldest, once most prestigious public university is taking action against courageous students who dare to make a stand in front of the US president. Furthermore, the students were merely acting in the interest of the nation; they deserve appreciation instead of disciplinary action.
Apparently, our higher education institutions never learnt from their past mistakes. Universities are not kindergartens; students with critical thinking are assets of the universities and the country. By curbing the rights of students, the university is doing a disservice to the nation. They had done it in the past. This is déjà vu.
During his visit to Malaysia, President Barack Obama vowed to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s efforts to push for more reforms in the area of human rights, press freedom and civil liberties in Malaysia. Just few days after President Obama left, Najib showed his “effort in pushing reforms” by punishing students who voiced dissent in the meeting with Obama. It is ironical and farcical.
Therefore, the Minister of Education Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, should immediately rectify the horrendous misdeed of Universiti Malaya. I would also like to urge the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, being the organiser of the town hall meeting, to shoulder the responsibility to defend these students. They are incriminated for voicing dissent at the embassy’s programme. Lack of commitment in defending them will give the impression that the embassy is condoning punishment on dissidents.
* Chang Lih Kang is Perak State Assemblyman for Teja.
** This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
