THE government and University of Malaya (UM) have been urged to refrain from disciplinary action against a student who criticised public donations for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s proposed house arrest, amid calls to protect students’ freedom to debate matters of public interest.
In a joint statement on Friday, 13 DAP members voiced solidarity with the student, arguing that criticism of students’ views should not become grounds for restricting their right to express opinions.
They said the controversy had highlighted broader questions about freedom of expression, political maturity and whether university students could challenge issues of national importance without facing intimidation or disciplinary pressure.
“Universities should be platforms for developing mature, open and progressive thinking, not places that silence the voices of young people,” the statement said.
The signatories stressed that students should be encouraged to question policies, scrutinise current affairs and defend their positions through facts and reasoned arguments.
“Students should express their views responsibly and based on facts, but even the use of strong language should not automatically be used as a reason to deny them the right to participate in discussions on national issues,” they said.
They called on the government and higher education institutions to protect students’ freedom of expression rather than use disciplinary mechanisms to suppress dissent, adding that differences of opinion should be addressed through constructive dialogue and intellectual debate.
The group also linked its position to broader higher education reform, including efforts to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), which they said were important to safeguarding academic freedom, university autonomy and students’ rights.
They cited Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which provides for freedom of speech and expression, and urged all parties to stop threatening or intimidating students who express their views peacefully.
“The country needs a generation of leaders who are brave enough to defend their principles, not one that chooses to remain silent out of fear of the consequences of speaking up,” the statement said.
The statement was signed by 13 DAP members, including Selangor DAP Socialist Youth deputy chief Nur Rahim Nasir and representatives from several DAP branches. - October 16, 2026