Anti-government students face expulsion, warns PM
"If they do not concentrate on their studies, they will be removed from the university," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Mahathir, who marks 20 years in power this month, made his comments after large number of students, particularly ethnic Malays, have taken part in recent anti-government protests.
"I'm most saddened. It seems Malay students are making universities the ground for their political involvement focused on anti-government activities.There is no problem with the other students," he said.
Mahathir said he found that student activities were becoming bolder and at times threatening national security.
Students detained
Police detained two students last week under the ISA, which allows detention without trial. The legislation is a successor to a British colonial law passed to battle a communist insurgency.
On Friday, Mahathir defended the use of the security act, saying students were not above the law.
The premier warned his ruling coalition Saturday that they risked losing power because ungrateful younger voters felt no obligation towards them for decades of stability.
While Malaysia has recovered from the 1997 financial crisis, the 1999 general elections showed that many Malays had turned their backs on Umno.
Umno lost 22 parliamentary seats as many Malays abandoned the party, partly due to anger over the sacking and jailing of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.
