Friday, July 21, 2006

Unruly UPM students act - Conduct Open Investigation Now

DAPSY strongly condemn the latest students assault conducted by the a group of 40 students led by the UPM student representative council president who surrounded a group of Students Progressive Front (SPF) members and scolded them harshly for setting up the counter when the SPF is not a registered group.

Such unruly and uncivilized act is not only saddening, heart-brokening but also embarrassing the whole country, as well as students and graduates of other local public universities especially those from UPM!

Although university is a place to pursue higher level knowledge, it does not seem that the managements of public universities are concerned about academic freedom, excellence and student activism.


Previously we were talking about whether our students and children can perform academically or not in university studies, later we are worried of whether they are capable to secure a job after graduation. While we are still worried about this, it seems that some how we had to even worry for the safety of our students in the campus, maybe because of the “Samseng” students in high school have probably enrolled in local public universities.

Damage had been done and remedies must come fast to salvage the situation before more students are victimized and situations get deteriorated.

It will be most shocking if those who acted unruly are members of the Students Representative Council of UPM. As member of the Students Representative Council, instead of suppressing student’s rights, they should protect the right of the students. Even if they do not like activities organized by SPF, the best they can do is to stay away, or at least not to interfere and not to interrupt the running of the activities.

Therefore, DAPSY calls on the Office of UPM Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students Affairs) to conduct an open and immediate investigation against those who are involved in the unruly conduct and assault against “anti-establishment” students in UPM, as the tragedy has not only tarnished the image of Malaysian Higher Education, which is fast losing it’s academic shine, but also jeopardized efforts and calls from the government to established first world mentality, towering universities, promoting human capital etc.

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