PUTRAJAYA — Human rights groups and university students today protested curbs on academic freedom to hold dialogues on sensitive topics such as statelessness, deaths in custody and dealing with the police.
A few students, as well as representatives from Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia (HARAM) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), gathered outside the Higher Education Ministry’s building here this morning, calling for action against university administrators whom they accused of stifling intellectual discourse.
The group highlighted two incidents in November at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and one to be held this week at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), which they said were abruptly disrupted or cancelled.
One event at IIUM had been a forum titled “Stateless Citizens = Illegitimate Children?” which was interrupted by auxiliary police and local police officers, who allegedly switched off the venue’s lights mid event so as to stop the event from proceeding.
Another incident at IIUM was the sudden cancellation for the VIBE Festival 2024 last month – featuring discussions on humanitarian issues, politics and a session on “Know your rights with the police”.
The university’s deputy dean had allegedly cancelled the festival despite the event receiving prior approval, and labelled it “left-wing” and “anti-establishment”.
The event at USM which was to be held starting today until Dec 20 was an exhibition titled “Chronology of Balamurugan’s Death”, organised by USM’s Political Science Club with Suaram.
The exhibition was cancelled a day before it was set to open despite prior approval from USM faculty members, lecturers and the Student Development and Alumni Affairs Division (BHEPA).
Haram, Suaram and student activists today submitted a memorandum to the ministry, questioning why an event that had adhered to all procedures was blocked at the last minute, calling it an act of “censorship” and demanding a formal explanation from BHEPA.
Their memorandum also accused university administrators of “autocratic tendencies” and excessive control over student-led initiatives.
The group also criticised MOHE for remaining silent, claiming that its lack of action enables the suppression of student rights.
“Administrators with individualistic and autocratic tendencies, along with government that turn a blind eye while tying student’s hands and feet, are complicit in this.
“These parties seek to shepherd students like livestock, isolating them from society, knowledge and social issues,” they said. – December 18, 2024