KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) has slammed the decision by US President Donald Trump’s administration to halt Harvard University’s ability to enrol international students, which is expected to affect existing and prospective Malaysian students.
Apart from revoking opportunities for international students to enter the institution, existing students would also be forced to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status, while also threatening to expand the crackdown to other schools.
PN’s education portfolio chairman Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah described the American government’s decision as “uncivilised” as universities are institutions of knowledge that “cherish the values of truth and justice”.
These institutions, according to Saifuddin, practise academic freedom among their faculties and students by speaking up on societal issues without fear or favour.
“Among the strength factors of a university is the collaboration of the best minds from across the world who meet to study, research, discuss and publish various written works,” said the former deputy higher education minister and foreign minister in a statement.
“I hope that the Higher Education Ministry would immediately contact our students in Harvard University as well as in other (American) universities to ensure that their welfare is well taken care of.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme certification.
In a statement, she accused the university of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party”, Reuters reported.
The Private Ivy League university has said the move by the Trump administration, which affects thousands of students, was illegal and amounted to retaliation.
The crackdown on foreign students at Harvard marks a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign against the institution.
The move comes after Harvard previously refused to provide information that Noem had previously demanded about some international student visa holders who attend the university, according to DHS.
The Trump administration has been training its guns on the universities, which it accused of political liberal leanings and their commitment towards diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) measures that are staunchly opposed by Trump and the American conservative movement. – May 23, 2025