‘Don’t link student rights to politics’

Politicians must come to terms with the fact that society is becoming more outspoken, notes Penang PAS deputy chief Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

GEORGE TOWN: University Science Malaysia (USM) saw an unusual occurence last Thursday.

Under the watchful eyes of the university security personnel, campus administrators and plainclothes police, 10 students held a healthy debate on student rights, free speech, the police and democratic values with bloggers, media practitioners and activists.

Some 80 people including media members who had responded to a viral text message earlier in the day about the gathering had expected to face yet another round of student protests over the Universities and Universities Colleges Act (AUKU) and their rights.

But instead they were faced with an enlightening discussion, one which blogger Ahmad Nordin said should be ‘a model’ for future discourses with students.

Penang PAS deputy commissioner II Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa also had his views.

He said the event was something which the country must come to terms with, as most political entities advocate and embraces democratic values here.

“Our society is becoming outspoken and concerned about their human rights, so politicians must learnt to accept this social trend.

“We cannot suppress people’s needs to voice their stand,” Mujahid said.

He claimed the students who protested on New Year Day (photo) were not politically affiliated with any political parties.

Allow student views

According to him they were doing it on their own to represent their worries about the AUKU and their student rights.

“They shouldn’t be linked to any of the political developments taking place now.

“These students have their own reasons for protesting and should not be interpreted as either a Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan Nasional stooge,” said Mujahid adding that in all peaceful assemblies should be allowed.

Mujahid was referring to demonstration at the Sultan Idris Teachers Training University (UPSI) just before a New Year, which police broke up close to midnight.

The incident however was promptly followed by claims that the cops had acted violently during the commotion.

Three students were injured including the Free Student Movement leader Muhammad Safuan Awang, who was hospitalized with broken ribs.

At the Thursday debate in USM, the 10 students declared their solidarity with Safuan and alleged the police were rough when discharging their duties.

They spoke at length about their beliefs that the police acted too harshly in the close to New Year Day’s protest.

The incident has sparked ongoing debate on student rights, freedom of speech and right to assembly, on the social media networks.