Ramblings of Abufaris

To what extent are the University and University Colleges Act ammended are still in questions. What do they mean by constructive activities? Is it activities to promote UMNO/BN as good governance will be considered constructive activities?

I seriously doubt the honesty of Najib in this agenda.

PUTRAJAYA: The amendments to the University and University Colleges Act will see provisions that are “no longer needed” removed in an effort to clear doubts on the purpose of the Act.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said there are many misconceptions and misunderstandings related to the Act because part of its provisions are being politicised by certain quarters.

“Even though there is a need for the Act to be in place, it is not meant to control students’ involvement in constructive activities. This is evident in the level of thinking and understanding showed by student leaders who attended today’s meeting.

“With the amendments, there will be a clearer guideline because we want all students to participate in constructive activities. This is why we give them a chance to further their studies at the tertiary level.

“However, if there are any provisions in the act that are no longer needed, we will amend them to clear doubts on the purpose of having the Act,” he told reporters Thursday after spending almost two hours with student leaders at the student consultative council meeting.

Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin and Public Services director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam.

Najib however declined to say if amendments to the Act would allow varsity students to be involved actively in politics, adding that the public should wait for the amendments to be finalised and made public.

“There will definitely be a clear guideline on this. I am not saying there will be no politics. I am saying (we want students to participate in) constructive activities because politics and party politics are two different things,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that the students had raised several issues during the meeting, including national unity, global leadership, environment, English language and acquiring soft skills.

Najib said he was pleased with the level of confidence, maturity and knowledge showed by student leaders and their ability to bring up issues of great importance and within a wider and more global perspective.