Malaysiakini had carried several reports and articles on the Akujanji (Loyalty pledge) thats compelled on civil servants and universities.

I am deeply distressed that lecturers and administration staff have signed the loyalty pledge albeit under protest. I had entertained a secret hope that there would be refusal to sign as a mark of civil disobedience which is after all a perfectly legitimate action grounded in sound democratic philosophy. Alas, this was not to be the case.

I feel that there is also some slight failure to consider an action under Part II of the Federal Constitution on fundamental liberties. Perhaps the failure to consider this option and at least to explore new litigation techniques may reflect our disenchantment with the judiciary as a check on executive anarchy. Nevertheless this remains an option and it puts the judicial arm on test as well. Thus the action to throw in the towel and sign under protest is limited in its vision.

I think the law faculties and teaching staff therein have also failed to assist in the development of different legal strategies for the university population in this case. One then wonders at the kind of lawyers that will graduate forth from these institutions. Are they 'yes women and men'?

Perhaps we should no longer place too much hope in our local universities to bring about a generation of thinkers and doers.