First UTM, now UKM
Ng Boon HooiPublished: Apr 16, 2001 9:41 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
UKM Students' Union (PMUKM) will send a memorandum to Education Minister Musa Mohamad to protest the university authorities' denial of their right to organise "Orientation Week" or Minggu Haluan Siswa.
A group of student representatives is expected to deliver the protest message at the Education Ministry tomorrow.
Student leaders said that they had tried numerous times to make an appointment with Education Ministry officials to discuss the matter, but were given a run-around.
"They always tell us that they are busy, please come next time or two weeks later," PMUKM president Iqbal Jusoh @ Nordin told malaysiakini today.
He said that previously PMUKM had 10 representatives in the organising committee of "Orientation Week". However, since last year, PMUKM had its role downgraded and was only allowed to send two representatives, with the Students Affairs division of the university's administration playing the major role.
Iqbal added that this year his union was even asked by the university "to apply" for the right to participate in the organising committee.
According to him, the university claimed that the "Orientation Week" is an activity of the university and not a students' activity.
Therefore, the campus authorities argued that it was the right of Hal Ehwal Pelajar (Students Affairs) to decide on who to be included in the organisation committee. As such, it was not the PMUKM's right to question the decision.
At the same time, PMUKM alleged that the decision of UKM to abolish the election of the College Representatives Committee since last year is unconstitutional and against the Universities and University Colleges Act. The election was replaced by an interview-and-appointment system.
Last week, three students from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia received show-cause letters from the administration for participating in an "illegal" demonstration, in which the students handed a memorandum to protest against the university's rejection of their right to organise a Chinese New Year celebration.
Student leaders launched an appeal on Sunday calling for support from universities around the country to protest against UTM's denial of students' rights.
A group of student representatives is expected to deliver the protest message at the Education Ministry tomorrow.
Student leaders said that they had tried numerous times to make an appointment with Education Ministry officials to discuss the matter, but were given a run-around.
"They always tell us that they are busy, please come next time or two weeks later," PMUKM president Iqbal Jusoh @ Nordin told malaysiakini today.
He said that previously PMUKM had 10 representatives in the organising committee of "Orientation Week". However, since last year, PMUKM had its role downgraded and was only allowed to send two representatives, with the Students Affairs division of the university's administration playing the major role.
Iqbal added that this year his union was even asked by the university "to apply" for the right to participate in the organising committee.
According to him, the university claimed that the "Orientation Week" is an activity of the university and not a students' activity.
Therefore, the campus authorities argued that it was the right of Hal Ehwal Pelajar (Students Affairs) to decide on who to be included in the organisation committee. As such, it was not the PMUKM's right to question the decision.
At the same time, PMUKM alleged that the decision of UKM to abolish the election of the College Representatives Committee since last year is unconstitutional and against the Universities and University Colleges Act. The election was replaced by an interview-and-appointment system.
Last week, three students from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia received show-cause letters from the administration for participating in an "illegal" demonstration, in which the students handed a memorandum to protest against the university's rejection of their right to organise a Chinese New Year celebration.
Student leaders launched an appeal on Sunday calling for support from universities around the country to protest against UTM's denial of students' rights.
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