KUALA LUMPUR – Two student bodies are up in arms over the new “Guidelines for Entertainment Activities (Concerts) in Higher Education Institutions”, labelling the directives as “extremely conservative”, “absurd” and “unreasonable”.
University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) and Rahman Student League are calling for the Higher Education Ministry to retract the guidelines and to restore student autonomy.
Umany also threatened to initiate a judicial review challenging the constitutionality of these guidelines.
“The content of these guidelines are extremely conservative, prohibiting actions such as mixed seating of males and females and artists wearing shorts.
“Surprisingly, it is not led by Perikatan National, but rather by the unity government which claimed to be ‘progressive’ in the past elections.
“Umany also believes that the Higher Education Ministry’s issuance of these guidelines without prior warning and without prior consultation of students’ opinions is a blatant disregard for the autonomy of tertiary students.
“It is evident that the ministry’s agenda to amend Auku (University and University College Act 1971) and restore student autonomy is nothing but a superficial act, reflected in their lack of progress on the matter,” it said in a statement today.
Umany added that while these guidelines are only application to concerts on campus, it could be expanded to include stand-up comedy, debates, cultural exhibitions, and other forms of entertainment.
“If the ministry can introduce numerous obstacles to concerts today, it could extend its influence tomorrow to prohibit mixed seating of males and females in classrooms or even demand separation after schooling hours to minimise contact.
“If the government dares to act recklessly within campuses today, it is only a matter of time before they spread their influence to engulf society, pressuring non-Muslim groups to compromise with conservative agendas.
Meanwhile, the Rahman Student League said the new restrictions are “completely out of touch with the progressive values of modern society” while threatening to mobilise the entire higher education student body nationwide to protect campus freedom and students’ rights.
“The guidelines are not in line with the vibrancy of campus, and ignores students’ freedom of choice, violating rights and limiting diversity.
“These guidelines represent a significant step backward, violating the principles of campus democracy and student autonomy. If the government insists on enforcing these guidelines to appease extreme ideologies, it would contradict the principles of a progressive Malaysia Madani framework.”
It was reported the Higher Education Ministry will review the guidelines pending minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin’s approval. – September 1, 2023