KUALA LUMPUR: University students are allowed to have contacts with political parties, but these must be in a formal setting for academic purposes, including seminars.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin yesterday said the government still does not want the involvement of university students in partisan politics despite the proposed amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971.

"We believe that this kind of political affiliation restricts the development of students into holistic first-class human capital," he said at the opening of the Malaysian Student Leaders' Summit 2008.

About 700 university students, including those studying overseas, will discuss nation-building issues at the two day meeting.

"The rational is simple. By joining political parties, students will have to subscribe to a party's ideology and policies.
"So, if a student chooses to join a political party, he or she will have to adhere to the policies advocated by the party's leaders and will not be allowed to offer opinions on issues raised independently.

"This is a waste of talent and not beneficial to students who should seek to learn the most during this period of life."

Although students are not allowed to be associated with any political party or unlawful organisation, Khaled said under the proposed amendments, they would be given the freedom to join any society or organisation, including non-governmental organisations.

This is regardless of whether or not a society or organisation was established under any law, in or outside the university, and in or outside Malaysia.

And, they can do so without permission of the vice-chancellor. Currently, the vice-chancellor identifies which organisation is allowed.

With the amendment, the vice-chancellor has to identify which organisation is not allowed.

Khaled said this re-orientation of student activism should be welcomed and looked upon as a step forward in transforming the face of the country's higher education system to attain greater heights.

He said removing the restrictions for student participation in civil society movements and ability to comment on issues pertaining to the area of studies implied that the government was committed in supporting student activism.

"In fact, under this amendment, we allow members of the opposition party to be invited to and participate in any intellectual discourse at public universities."

Khaled said the move to amend the act was due to the non-confrontational approach of the National Students Consultative Council.

"The members of the council had tabled their views rationally to find solutions to issues and challenges related to the society and nation.

"A non-confrontational approach which discusses issues rationally should be the basis for all Malaysian student movements."