UIA rector more powerful than Saifuddin

VOXPOP 'Saifuddin should call Zaleha to his office and demand an explanation. A lowly rector issuing instructions against a deputy minister? That's insubordination.'

Saifuddin 'shocked' after rector stops UIA forum

Hang Babeuf: The UIA (Universiti Islam Antarabangsa) rector may feel that the issue is "too hot to handle". Hot perhaps, but requiring suppression? I think not.

The Court of Appeal has declared that the UUCA (Universities and University Colleges Act) is unconstitutional. Unless and until that declaration is overturned or set aside by legislative action, that is the law.

So what would happen if somebody, perhaps an UIA student, sought an injunction asking the court to declare that the holding of such a discussion at the university was legally permissible? Would the rector's action in blocking, and continuing to block, the holding of such a session then amount to contempt of court?

Or may the rector simply choose not to permit any such discussion at UIA on her own administrative discretion, regardless of the finding of the Court of Appeal?

Taking that course might then be within the rector's rights. But would that be an appropriate stance from a rector, who is also a professor of law of national standing and widespread influence in the country?

Ben-ghazi: Quote: "The reason for the cancellation is that the issue of UUCA is being hotly discussed."

I have never heard of a more ridiculous excuse than this. It defies logic. Just because something is ‘hotly debated', it cannot be discussed further by a minister and some university students. What kind of university rector is Zaleha Kamaruddin?

Sorry to say, this is not the way to run a university. No wonder we cannot be ranked in the top 200 universities in the world - there is too much political interference in the academia.

MfM: Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah should call Zaleha to his office and demand an explanation. A lowly rector issuing instructions against a deputy minister? That's insubordination!

Keturunan Malaysia: Zaleha wields a much bigger stick, compliments of more powerful people in Umno than a mere deputy minister like Saifuddin. I can't blame Saifuddin, but still this is like a shameful smack on his face.

Ksn: Is it being implied here that the Higher Education Ministry has no control over this university - that they can just call off the arranged meeting just like that?

It is even more telling when it is the deputy minister of higher education who is the invited speaker. What say the students? Are they going to take this silently?

Who is pulling the strings from behind to give the university the cheek to call off the dialogue?

Ferdtan: For the lowly UIA rector to pull a stunt like that on the deputy higher education minister, stopping him at the last minute from having a dialogue with the university students in a planned forum is highly suspicious.

Who is this rector? She acts so powerful. She is only an academician and she can unilaterally 'censure' the minister?

There is more to this issue that meets the eye. Some Umno leaders aligned with the opposite camp of Saifuddin must have 'instructed/ordered' the rector to cancel the dialogue. This must be the reason for her non-plussed action. All is not well in Umno.

Dood: Ironically, the cancellation speaks for itself as to whether the UUCA and other tools are still being used by Umno-BN to suppress student activism.

Don douses notion that being gay is 'unconstitutional'

Gerard Samuel Vijayan: Islamic laws, prohibitions and teachings do not apply to non-Muslims period. The constitution is clear on this.

The Penal Code ought to be amended to allow consenting adults aged 21 and above to indulge in homosexuality provided that they are non-Muslim.

While non-Muslim religions do not permit homosexuality there are no religious laws to prohibit such conduct per se as in Islam. This should be a first step by the government to respect the rights of gays and lesbians.

As for Muslims who wish to practice an alternative lifestyle, regrettably, they have to do so in private and secret given the fundamentalist nature of Islam that is practiced in this country and the entrenched position of Islamic resurgence that is dominant in Malay/Muslim society here.

Muslims will never accept such practices under any circumstances even if clothed with civil liberties and human rights because most of them adhere to God's law as being the ultimate truth.

Anonymous_40bb: The cabinet knows it will eventually conclude with what is best for our country. This game has been played once too many times.

Now it depends on when is the right time to announced that Malaysia will do the right thing in the eyes of the international community so that they will earn commendations to be the first Asean country to take the first liberal step.

The first Islamic country to show an example that Islam too joins the chorus of human rights. Oops! I forgot about the votes from the rakyat. (Gay step-son of an ex-minister).

Quigonbond: Umno ministers declaring homosexuality being unconstitutional infuriates right-thinking Malaysians not only because it demonstrates Umno will stoop to such depths just to secure the votes of conservative Malay-Muslim base, but also their perverse reasoning and their inhumanity.

Homosexuals are a fringe group in Malaysia, probably ostracised through and through. Should it be proven that homosexuality is a genetic condition as opposed to a lifestyle choice, what these ministers are effectively saying is in the same vein that being a leper is unconstitutional, or having Aids is unconstitutional.

I shudder to imagine Malay-Muslims swallowing whole what these ministers have declared in the name of Islam. Clearly, this inhumane and intolerant attitude is not what Malaysians need in their leaders.

Lynn: While I am also not supportive of the homosexual movement and rights as I view homosexuals as people engaging in unnatural acts, the notion that it is unconstitutional because Islam is the official religion is just plain dumb.

By that inference, is eating pork unconstitutional? Stupidity all around.

Blind Freddo: Wow... the cabinet really are demonstrating their intelligence this week. Some ministers are wrong, some are stupid and some have been struck dumb.

It's a pity the mindless masses of Muslim Malaysia never get the opportunity to see their leaders as they really are.

Garrulous Gary: Asking the cabinet to clear the air over the statement will be difficult. The rest of the cabinet isn't any smarter than these two ministers.

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