Whither student politics in Malaysia?

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.