The UKM 4 – wither our student movements?
Art Harun
I had not planned to write about the UKM 4 as the topic has been exhaustively covered by the alternative media. Among others, SABM has written about it on its website. An online petition has been started and it could be accessed here.
However, I was startled to read what the President of UKM Student Council writes on the Persatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s website. Essentially, in his capacity as the President of the Student Council, Mohd Hamzah Zainul Abidin actually supported the university’s action or proposed action against the UKM 4!
I find that ironic.
Here they are, four students of UKM, who presumably are also members of the PMUKM, are charged by UKM for allegedly breaching the University and University-College Act 1971 – allegedly they expressed support for a political party, which happened to be an opposition party – and may be subject to disciplinary action.
And the President of PMUKM is supporting the charge! Well, he sounded like he is. At the very least, he is not objecting to the charge. He in fact trumpets the wisdom of the prohibition against students being involved in politics in the UUCA.
When I was involved in students politics while in the University of Malaya in the early 80s, I made it a point to attack the UUCA at every available opportunity.
My comrades and I believed that the UUCA was paralysing the students, student movements and was a tool to subjugate the students. The UUCA had the effect of producing an unthinking culture among the students as well as a submissive and subservient attitude.
I still believe so until today.
