Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon says undergraduates can participate in Bersih 4 despite statements from university heads saying otherwise. – The Malaysian Insider filepic, August 28, 2015.Initially barred from joining Bersih 4, undergraduates are now allowed to take part in the 34-hour rally, which starts tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon said.
He said that restrictions on university and college students participating in civil society movements no longer applied following an amendment to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 four years ago.
"They are free to express themselves," Chong was quoted as saying by The Star Online today.
On November 24, 2011, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced an amendment to Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 to lift the ban on student participation in politics.
The amendment – made after the Court of Appeal in a landmark decision said the Act was unreasonable and violated freedom of speech guaranteed by the Federal Constitution – has given university students more political freedom.
Section 15(1) of the Act states that a university student can become a member of any society, organisation, body, group of persons, or any political party in and outside Malaysia.
Two days ago, public universities vice-chancellor and rectors committee chairman Datuk Prof Dr Kamarudin Hussin warned university students against taking part in the Bersih 4 rally.
He said any student found participating in the rally would face disciplinary action and even suspension or expulsion from their universities.
On the same day, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) vice-chancellor Tan Sri Prof Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar also warned UiTM students against joining the rally or they would face disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, Chong, who is MCA Youth chief, said members of the wing were allowed to take part in the rally and that no action would be taken against them.
"But what I'd say is, please abide by the law, have self-discipline and take care of themselves,”
He also urged the police to protect participants and to ensure the event took place smoothly and peacefully. – August 28, 2015.
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