Participation and the Models of Democracy
Elections are institutional mechanisms that implement democracy by allowing
citizens to choose among candidates or issues. But elections also serve several
other important purposes.
Campus Democracy
The Universities and University Colleges Act
1971 (UUCA)
UUCA was enacted in 1971primarily to provide an administrative basis for the
establishment of new universities. However, in 1975, the government introduced
a range of amendments imposing stringent restrictions on student's rights to
freedom of association and freedom of expression.
Under the act, s15
(1) 'No person, while he is a student of the
University, shall be a member of, or shall in any manner associate with, any
society, political party, trade union or any other organisation…whatsoever…whether
it is in the University or outside the University… in Malaysia or outside
Malaysia…except as may be approved…by the Vice-Chancellor.
(2) No organisation, body or group of students of the University…shall
have any affiliation, association or other dealing whatsoever with any society,
political party, trade union or any other organisation…whatsoever…whether
it is in the University or outside the University…in Malaysia or outside
the Malaysia…except as may be approved…by the Vice-Chancellor.
(3) No person, while he is a student of the University, shall express or do
anything which may be construed as expressing support, sympathy or opposition
to any political party or trade union or as expressing support or sympathy with
any unlawful organisation, body or group of persons.
(4) No organisation, body or group of students of the University…shall
express or do anything which may be construed as expressing support, sympathy
or opposition to any political party or trade union or as expressing suport
or sympathy with any unlawful organisation, body or group of persons.
(5) Any person who contravenes…subsection(1), (2), (3), or (4) shall be
guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding
RM1000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both…'
Additionally, under the powers of the amended Act, the government gazetted Discipline of Staff Rules in 1979 which placed restrictions on university staff engaging in political activity. Although staff were permitted to be members of political parties, they were prohibited from holding any position in a party, or standing as candidates or campaingning in an election. The Staff Rules also prohibit staff from making any public statement seen to side with a political party, or from publishing any material relating to poliyical parties (unless such material was part of and based on their academic research). Political statements might only be made within academic seminars only with the permission of the Vice-Chancellor. The authorities would also periodically restrict publication of 'sensitive' material.
In addition the powers of hiring and firing of staff were concentrated in the hands of government appointed Vice-Chancellors and councils dominated by government appointees.
The Act's restrictions on students served an effective deterrent : from the mid-1970s student activity in national politics declined precipitously. By the 1990s the majority of students appeared to have disengaged from public debate of political and social issues that might be regarded as controversial or merely unapproved by the ruling party.
Nevertheless the university authorities tolerated
limited forms of campus political activism within the student Representative
Councils (the student unions) or other student welfare committess, whose elected
officers might be tacitly recognised as being predominantly pro-UMNO or pro-PAS.
In addition, campus elections for approved societies, such as the Persatuan
Mahasiswa islam, would at times reflect national political agendas or party
loyalties. During the 1980s Islamic revivalism within campuses was apparent
as Islamic student groups, such as the Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam, took a leading
role in campuspolitical and social life. However official parameters for such
activism remained : in September 1989, when about 300 students at UM demonstrated
against a campus concert given by pop singer Sheila Majid,police arrested 22
students and detained 2 (the secretary and the treasurer of PMI) under the ISA
or questioning. They were released after a week.
In 1998 such 'tacit' campus political activity increasingly alarmed the authorities
as, for the first time in decades, off-campus student activism re-emerged through
the reformasi movement. The authorities responded by threatening use of the
powers and sanctions of the Act and stressing that the role of students was
to study, and not to be manipulated or misled by external political agents.
Students were also reminded to be grateful for the scholarships and other advantages
so many had received through affimative action programmes for Malays, and told
that by participating in demonstrations they were given damaging Malaysia's
reputation internationally. Such warnings were also given to Malaysian students
studying abroad.
Violations of the right to freedom of expression
-In 1990 Syed Husin Ali had to resign his post of Professor of Anthropology
and Sociology at UM in order to become prsident of the renamed People's Party
of Malaysia (PRM-Parti Rakyat Malaysia).
- In November 1997 the Cabinet, through the education Ministry, directed academics
not to make public statements about their research on the incidence and nature
of the 'haze' (smog caused by regional forest fires) affecting Malaysia, as
this might confuse or alarm the public or deter tourism.
- In this context many Malaysians were sceptical about the reasons (mainly economic)
given by the UM for their decision not to renew the contract of Professor Chandra
Muzaffar in February 1999 after he had taken a vocal public stance in support
of reformasi.
Violations of the right to freedom of association
Everyone has the rights to join or form any organization including political
organizations of their choice and conduct peaceful activities. The right of
the association has limited by laws such as the Universities and University
Colleges Act, under which any student of the university are not allowed to be
a member of, or shall in any manner associate with, any society, party party,
trade union or any other organizations whether inside or outside the University
except as may be approved by the Vice-Chancellor.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students Affairs Department) who are appointed by
the Vice-Chancellor may refuse to register a new society, impose conditions
in registering or de-register a society. Once a society has been refused registration
by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, it cannot challenge the decisions because the
authority of the Student Affairs Department haven't any check and balance by
the students themselves.
A society may also have to wait a long time or refuse before its registration
is approved by the Deputy Vice Chancellor. For example, until today Persatuan
Mahasiswa that are more on religion, language and culture are not allowed to
register in UUM. The excuses like "This kind of society will affected the
effort of government to unite the country"which given by the authority
always cannot accepted by the students. The reason is the students has their
rights to form a society by not to abuse or torture others rights.
Under Section 15 (3) of the Universities and University Colleges Act, students
and faculty members are not allowed to express or do anything which may be construed
as expressing support, sympathy or opposition to any political party or trade
union. Students may not join political parties whilst on campus.
Violations of the right to freedom of activities
After the amendments to the Universities and University Colleges 1975, this
was increase the power of the Vice Chancellor especially the Students Affair
Department. At the same time, the government set up the Student Representative
Council, student bodies which have little power, freedom and authority.
Actually students have their rights to freedom of activities like gathering,
speaker corner, participate in policy making process, and have right to manage
their own financial affairs, but the power of the Vice Chancellor is to weaken
the student's rights. Students have to give the rights to learn, to manage and
to build the culture campus.
The following incidents are some examples of such actions by the Student Affair
Department which took place in Malaysia, including UTM Chinese New Year Exibition
banned because the programme was too close to the Examination. Besides, HEP
wanted to avoid the date crash with the National Culture Exibition and university
also encourage the multi-racial activities and did not want to approve the mono-culture
activities in University.
The excuses given by the university authority can't convince the public because
the students were full of commitment to organised a activities. It should be
encourage and not the oppress by the HEP. This was the main situation of the
campus.Besides Chinese New Year Exibition, there are also University Malaya
Moon Cake Festival and Chinese Language Class in University Technology Malaysia
were been banned by the HEP. Currently, University Science Malaysia (USM) also
meet the same problem that is HEP don't allowed the students to go for a Singapore-Malaysia
Debate Competition.
Violations of the right to freedom of Assembly
The rights to freedom of assembly is provided for in Article 10 (1) of the Federal
Constitution. As with other rights, significant restriction are permitted in
"in the interest of security and public order".University and college
students accused of participating in illegal assemblies faced suspension or
expulsion under legislation prohibiting students from participating in any political
activity without permission. One student of the University Technology of Mara
(UiTM), Ahmad Zaki who was participating a assemblies after Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim sacked by the government. That time was "reformasi"period
and many students go out to show their support to reform the corrupt system.
Unfortunately Ahmad Zaki expulse by the HEP without any trial. This example
show that student rights always abuse by HEP.
Violation of the right to freedom of academic
Academics are also threatened when found to be sympathetic to opposition parties.
In February 1999, the University of Malaya declined to renew the contract of
Professor Chandra Muzzafar because Chandra show support to the former Deputy
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Chandra claimed the university had
fired him for poltical reasons. Chandra has since field a lawsuit in the high
court to overturn this decision.
Another lecturer in the university of Malaya, Professor Jomo K.Sundram, was
personally attacked by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad, after he filed a lawsuit
to postpone the general elections. The lawsuit was based on the fact that more
than 600 000 registered voters were prevented from voting in the coming elections.
The PM told Jomo to resign, but no further action was taken against him.
The Education Minister kept a close watch for teachers who allegedly display
'anti-government' attitudes. In August 1999, a disciplinary panel of the ministry
was said to have received reports concerning teachers who had "incited"
their students against the Government. In September 1999, it was reported that
the ministry had "acted against" several teachers allegedly involved
in 'anti-government activities.
Bureaucratic of Administration
All the university HEP in our nation always has the absolute power to the student
role and activities. The main leadership in this department always is the Vice
Deputy Chancellor but he controls the reward and punishment system. He also
be the player and the same time also be the refree. Though, every policy and
the implementation have to agree by him. If not, there will be a punishment
on the person who is not follow his instruction.
May be some of us will ask: why Deputy Vice Chancellor has this kind of absolute
power? Who give Deputy Vice Chancellor this absolute power? Answer is Universities
and University College! The problems create by bureaucracy of administration
will be happen again if the UUCA still remain the same. Therefore, students
have to unite together to abolish UUCA!
If the system of the universities do not have a totally reform, student will
become in the situation of a slave, continue to serve the corrupt system. Student
just drag out an ignoble existence, can not be the real student.
Student Rights
Getting an education isn't just about books and grades - we're also learning
how to participate fully in the life of this nation. (Because the future's up
to us!)
But in order to really participate, we need to know our rights - otherwise we
may lose them. The highest law in our land is the Malaysia Constitution, which
has some amendments, known as the
Right to Education
- We demanded the government to ensure that the students enjoy the right to
free education and stop the on-going commercialization of Higher Learning Education
such as corporatisation of Universities. The students are now facing the problems
of increasing tuition fees, lack of facilities and financial support as well
as unrecognized academic qualification.
Right to freedom of expression
- Freedom of expression is protected under Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution
and under Article 19 of UDHR. However, this right was restricted by UUCA. Students
are not allow to express their view( especially the critical view point) to
the publics.
Right to freedom of association
- The Federal Constitution provides for the right of association yet restrictions
exist in the form of legislation -the UUCA. Under the UUCA, vice-chancellor
have the extreme authority to prove or band the registration of student's organization.
For example, the administration of Universiti Utara Malaysia(UUM) has not allowed
an religion society set up in campus.
What is the current state of democracy in
Malaysia?
Malaysia is only a democracy in name. There are no democratic processes here.
The judiciary and the police are totally controlled by the government, as was
demonstrated by the sacking and beating of formal deputy Prime Minister Dato
Sri Anwar Ibrahim in police custody. The role of the government and the police
is very disheartening. The media is completely controlled by the government.(
e.g NST, Utusan and Star) Opposition parties have no rights. Everything is totally
under the clamps of the government. It is not democracy when the right to dissent;
when corruption and nepotism exist, and there is no attempt by the ruling elite
to try and abolish it.
Strategies and Recommendations
As a pro-democracy student group, we would like to share a number of practical
ideals and strategies on a range of issues- from how to encourage young students
to participate in campus democracy to how to support youth democracy in our
country.
We have outlined a range of ideals below, some of which may relevant for established
campus democracies and others more specific to country undergoing democratic
transition.
On how to encourage students' democratic participation
One of the challenges that young people pointed
out is that they are not taught the skills and lessons in campuses to actually
practice democracy. There need to be mechanisms by which young people can learn
how to make decisions and implement ideas. The university systems itself also
needs to be structured and organized in a democratic way. There should be student
bodies and campus election so students have a voice in how their campus is run.
Education
Across the board, education is fundamental to understanding why and how to participant
in a democracy.
Develop communication and education strategies.
Which demonstrate to young people that their participation can affect the issues
that are relevant to them.
On how student groups can better impact in campuses and society
On how to support Struggles for democracy
Our resolution
We believe that to make democracy work we have to actively step out from campus.
To empower students and citizens through the process of participation, realizing
our rights through direct action and solidarity with other progressive organization.We
believe that true democracy involves more than just releasing press statements
and electioneering. It is about rebuilding society by developing basic values
of autonomy, solidarity and responsibility for life and for future generation.