MCA Youth Chief: Amend act to enable students to join politics

By Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Youth wants the government to seriously consider amending some of the clauses of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 to enable students to take part in politics.

Instead of preventing them from taking part in politics, its chief, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, said the government could draw up a proper roadmap for the movement’s political struggle to promote healthy political culture and gain the youth’s approval and support.

“If we worry that university students’ participation in politics would affect their studies and the peaceful university life, we can set up some guidelines for them to follow and educate them to have self-discipline and be
responsible for their words and behavior,” he said in his speech at the 46th MCA Youth annual general assembly at Wisma MCA here today.

Wee, who is also deputy education minister, said under the country’s constitution, it was also the right of young people of appropriate age to participate in political activities.

“But the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 has stopped them from taking part in politics, and this is ridiculous.

“We must not think of them as our enemies, and as if they will definitely oppose us. This is unreasonable,” he said.

Later, when speaking to reporters, Barisan Nasional Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the wing had brought up the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recently.

“We have highlighted it to him and he has agreed to look into it (the possible amendment),” he added.