I am sad and angry to see local universities infringing on the rights of university students to speak their minds, even through the proper channels.

The recent barring

of students from making statements or comments to the local media by Universiti Sains Malaysia is indeed outrageous and arbitrary.

The dictatorial order raises so many questions: What acts are university students breaking by commenting or making statements to the media? Are university students threatening the security and public order of the nation by talking to the media?

Since when university directives supercede the Federal Constitution? Since when do the words of vice-chancellors outweigh the clauses of the Federal Constitution?

University students are asked to voice their opinions through the proper channels. What can be more proper that voicing their opinions through the media? If this is not the proper channel, what then, is the proper channel?

What then is the purpose of a university? Producing mindless zombies that work tirelessly for the money? Or mature people with quick and sharp wits to develop the nation, not just physically but also socially?

Is not the university a place for young men and women to develop their emotion, intellect and philosophy? If local university students can't even speak up their minds, what is the use then of these university ideals?