Malaysia's student ppolitics under the state's shadow

Malaysia's student ppolitics under the state's shadow

P. Ramasamy, Professor, political science, Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore

The colossal war against terrorism seems not only to have
dented the role of the opposition political parties in Malaysia,
but also weakened the links some of the opposition parties had
with student bodies in the tertiary institutions.

Student polls held last month resulted in pro-establishment
student bodies winning in eight of the total 14 tertiary
institutions.

Nonetheless, the anti-establishment forces maintained their
hold in six of the more established universities.

For all intents and purposes, student politics in the
institutions of higher learning is really about the conflict and
tension between the two dominant political parties -- United
Malays National Organization (UMNO) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia
(PAS).

This conflict has come about due to a number of factors.

The large intake of Malay students as a result of pro-Malay
government policies. The presence of a quota system that favors
Malay students over non-Malays.The active role played by
university administrations in ensuring Malay dominance, not only
in terms of student intake, but also in favoring the hiring of
Malay lecturers. The generous scholarships and loans provided to
assist Malay students in tertiary institutions.

In other words, campus politics in the country is basically a
Malay affair.

Non-Malays, despite their notable presence, have very little
enthusiasm to play a vigorous role in such activities.

In fact, it is a truism that non-Malay students have become
quite alienated in the institutions.

It is not that they do not take part in these activities but,
rather, they refrain from identifying strongly with activities
that they think do not reflect their concerns and interests.

Since politics in universities basically revolves around the
conflict between UMNO and PAS, non-Malay students (Chinese and
Indians) find it difficult to take a definitive political
position.

Non-Malay students' lack of interest in supporting groups
aligned to UMNO or PAS provides the best indicator as to why
turnout during student elections ranges between only 40 and 60
per cent.

This held true in the last elections, with the exception of
one or two institutions where there was some kind of a directive
that made it compulsory for students to cast their votes.

The government is not very concerned about the lack of non-
Malay participation or how to promote racial integration in
universities, but rather about how it can ensure that students do
not identify with the opposition.

Following political independence, the government was concerned
about students supporting the communist movement. In the early
1970s, there was fear that they might go astray mixing politics
with their support for peasants and workers.

It was this concern or fear that propelled the government to
pass the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA 71)
to control and monitor student activities by giving near absolute
powers to the Minister of Education and those managing the
affairs of universities.

The Act has been amended to further restrict and control
student activities.

In the 1970s, several activists were arrested and detained
under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for organizing student
protests to support the demands of peasants in the state of
Kedah.

Among those who were arrested and detained was the former
Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

While the ISA has not been frequently used to control student
activities, the government finds it more convenient and less
controversial to use the UUCA 71 to ensure student compliance
with the dictates of the regime.

Along with other regulations, student activities in the
institutions have been monitored and controlled effectively.

Although the regime has not been able to break the back of
those who continue to support PAS, recent student polls indicate
that there is more in store for students.

There is a strong possibility that the government will soon
empower the administrations of the more established universities
to embark on a more systematic move to reduce student support for
PAS and at the same time allow UMNO to politicize students.

As it is, there is little democracy for students in the public
universities. Their activities are subject to close scrutiny by
the administrations.

Student groups cannot invite speakers for seminars without the
approval of the university authorities.

It would be impossible for student groups to invite members of
the opposition parties.

During polls, student groups cannot use the symbols of
political parties, they cannot give public speeches and the
campaign time is restricted -- as is what can be displayed in
posters and leaflets.

During the recent elections, some student bodies complained
that the authorities in charge of overseeing the conduct of
elections had sided openly with groups that were pro-government.

Opposition parties, non-governmental organizations and other
civic- minded groups are concerned about the nature of political
participation in the country as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks
in the United States.

There is general anxiety that the government might attempt to
reduce the scope for popular participation, not only in the
larger society, but also in institutions of higher learning.

Reduction in the scope for political participation might
benefit the government in the short run, but it might rob society
of its internal dynamism and creativity in the long run.