Long way from greater freedom on university campuses

THE Malaysian Academic Movement (Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia, or Gerak) views with deep concern the action of the police in summoning Mohd Akmal Haziq, University Malaya student and UM Student Representative Council president, to the Pantai police station in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 25.

Haziq was evidently summoned for questioning about the demonstration he led within UM’s KL campus on Dec 13. The peaceful demonstration, held in front of UM’s Chancellery, was held to demand from the university better welfare and other student services, like improved student transportation. A 13-point memorandum was submitted by the students. It sounds reasonable enough and is about genuine student concerns, like improved campus security, greater maintenance of campus property, a more frequent shuttle service, and a student-friendly administration.