KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya (UM) students have been reminded to prioritise personal safety and academic responsibilities before taking part in any off-campus activities.
UM deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs) Prof Dr Zamri Radzi said the university respects students' rights to be concerned about current issues and to express their views but stressed that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and in accordance with the law.
"Awareness of societal issues is part of developing critical thinking among students.
"However, freedom of expression must be exercised prudently, in line with the law, while taking into account personal safety and the well-being of all parties," he said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 7).
Zamri said UM had taken note of a march to Parliament scheduled for Feb 9, adding that as the event coincides with the examination period, students are advised to carefully consider their academic commitments.
He also clarified that the group associated with the event, known as "Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya", is not a registered student organisation and does not represent the official position of the university or the collective voice of its students.
He said UM remains committed to providing proper channels for dialogue and organised platforms at the campus level to enable views and concerns to be expressed constructively, civilly and in line with the university's intellectual values.
The march to Parliament by a group of UM students on Monday is believed to be aimed at calling for the abolition of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971. – Bernama
