Students denounce politics ban
| FRI, 13 AUG 2010 18:35 | By G Vinod | Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: Five student organisations today denounced the Najib administration for its opposition to student involvement in politics and announced that they would hold a public forum on the issue within the next two weeks.“We’re sick of the government treating us like children,” said Gerakan Mahasiswa Sedar spokesman Ahmad Syukri Kamaruddin in response to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's statement on Monday that the government would not lift its ban on political activity among students.
Syukri was speaking at a press conference called by his group and the Gerakan Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM), Gabungan Mahasiswa Malaysia, Kelab Rakan Islah Malaysia and Majlis Perwakilan Mahasiswa Nasional.
SMM secretary Mohd Ridzuan Othman called on political parties and civic groups to share their views on the issue at the proposed forum.
“We will hold the open forum before Umno sits for its supreme council meeting on Aug 27,” he said.
“We will make a decision on our next course of action at the forum.”
Syukri accused the government of holding double standards, noting that there were Barisan Nasional support clubs to cater to students studying abroad.
“If we are not allowed to voice out our political opinion or affiliate ourselves with any political body, then how come Malaysian students studying abroad can become members of the BN support clubs there?” he said.
“I am also aware its members are invited to attend Umno's annual general meetings.”
PKR’s communication bureau has also condemned the decision to uphold the ban.
“The decision clearly showed us that the government is still unaware of the changes happening around us,” it said in a statement.
The bureau commended Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin for calling for the lifting of the ban.
“We hope that Saifuddin can lead an inter-party caucus on the matter if he is truly committed to this cause.” the statement said.
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