University students at the annual Graduates' Congress in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, were given practical hints o­n what to do when laws like the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 prevent them from taking active part in political life.

Speakers from the political and corporate sectors addressed student concerns during a two-hour session today under a plenary session themed 'Graduates and Achievement'.

Viable alternatives

Duvio Venture Sdn Bhd chairman Khalid Ahmad told the 200 students that demonstrations were "useless" as a strategy.

"It is good to be a little anti-establishment but the important thing is how you articulate your ideas. You can express yourself through seminars and conferences. If you want to get noticed, you have to have flair, you have to be excellent," he said.

A Universiti Putra Malaysia participant commented that student voices are no longer being heard today when, in the past, this used to "shake the whole world". He said the UUCA was responsible for many problems including disunity among students and restricting them from freely expressing their views.

Khalid, however, advised students against placing the blame elsewhere, explaining that this would o­nly stop individuals from doing something about the situation.

Hatta Mohd Ramli (photo), political secretary to Terengganu Menteri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang , supported the idea of students going beyond the UUCA to find alternative ways to express themselves.

"If you wait for the Act to be repealed, it will be like menunggu kucing bertanduk (waiting for cats to grow horns)," he said to laughter.

Extending the analogy, he said though that it was not impossible for "cats to wear hats", and suggested that students be diligent and intelligent in finding ways to get around the law.

Hatta said students could express themselves and spread their messages via the Internet or by starting their own newspaper.

'Be creative'

Bank Rakyat chairperson Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim told participants that "nothing in the world" could stop them o­nce they make up their minds to act.

"Deep down in your heart, you know what you can do. You can circumvent the Act and find alternative ways....you can contribute through workshops and forums," he said.

He noted that merely complaining about legal restrictions amounted to "defeatist attitude".

"Only those with a positive mindset are successful. If you circumvent the Act, you don't have to go to jail...look into the legal aspects of what you can do," he added.

The three-day congress has brought together 600 students from various local universities to discuss topics related to politics, entertainment and sports, gender, and the law.

Prominent speakers include Rural Development Minister Azmi Khalid, Lunas state assembly representative Saifuddin Nasution Ismail of Keadilan, Puteri Umno head Azalina Othman Said and DAP Socialist Youth secretary Loke Siew Fook.

The congress is scheduled to end o­n Saturday with a dialogue session between the students and Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.