Expression of dissent is part and parcel of democracy

Aliran welcomes and supports Parliament Human Rights Caucus chairperson Nazri Aziz's call on the universities concerned to drop all charges pending against students who were involved in legitimate activities in connection with the recent campus elections.

We concur with Nazri that accusations levelled against these conscientious students were trivial, if not infantile. These students were merely exercising their democratic right to express their views and to dissent - which is part and parcel of democracy.

Universities should take pride in the fact that there are students in their midst - especially those who aspire to be student leaders - who are willing to stand up for what they believe in. Confidence, conviction and commitment ought to be inculcated in these and other students so that they will not only be able to lead others but also be conscious of their political and social surroundings and of their responsibility.

A university environment of this nature would help to nurture students to be socially conscious as well as to be concerned about the welfare of other people, especially the poor and the weak. In other words, we need to reduce the risk of producing more kiasu students who have been exhorted all this while just to concentrate on their studies and conform thoughtlessly.

The high-handed treatment of these students by the university authorities and security personnel shows that the University and University Colleges Act, which provides ample power to the university and the minister concerned, is a law that is oppressive and archaic. The Act certainly does not resonate well with the idea of democracy, transparency and accountability. It must be repealed.

Finally, the victimisation of these students reflects the sad truth that the universities are becoming tools of the Barisan with the same mentality that brooks no dissent and tolerates no independent thought.


Aliran Executive Committee
25 November 2005

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