Malaysiakini: TIME TO REPEAL THE UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE ACT 1971

The following excerpt is taken from the University And College University Act 1971 in Malaysia.

15. Prohibition on a student or a students’ organization, body or group associating with societies, etc., except as provided under the Constitution or approved by the Vice-Chancellor.

(1) No person, while he is a student of the University, shall be a member of, or shall in any manner associate with, any society, political party, trade union or any other organization, body or group of persons whatsoever, whether or not it is established under any law, whether it is in the University or outside the University, and whether it is in Malaysia or outside Malaysia, except as many be provided by or under the Constitution, or except as many be approved in advance in writing by the Vice-Chancellor.

(2) No organization, body or group of students of the University, whether established by, under or in accordance with the Constitution, or otherwise, shall have any affiliation, association or other dealing whatsoever with any society, political party, trade union or any other organization, body or group of persons whatsoever, whether or not it is established under any law, whether it is in the University or outside the University, and whether or not it is in Malaysia or outside Malaysia, except as many be provided by or under the Constitution, or except as many be approved in advance in writing by the Vice-Chancellor.

(3) No person, while he is a student of the University, shall express or do anything which many be construed as expressing support, sympathy or opposition to any political party or trade union or as expressing support or sympathy with any unlawful organization, body or group of persons.

(4) No organization, body or group of students of the University which is established by, under or in accordance with the Constitution, or any other organization, body or group of students of the University, shall express or do anything which may be construed as expressing support, sympathy or opposition to any political party or trade union or as expressing support or sympathy with any unlawful organization, body or group of persons.

(5) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Universiti Malaya's law associate professor Dr Azmi Sharom said the UUCA's restrictive clauses in effect deny university students their constitutional rights to freedom of association and of speech. For more read here: