Political freedom would threaten peace and unity, says UiTM’s VC

(Bernama) – There is no necessity to amend the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) because politicking will only split the students, said Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar.

He said the university was not in favour of the proposed amendment to the UUCA as political freedom would only threaten peace and the unity of Malay and bumiputra students in the university.

“My wards (UiTM students) are peaceful and in harmony in their struggle for knowledge to become a useful human being.

“What is important is that all of us are united and not divided,” he told a press conference.

He was commenting on the proposal by several groups who wanted the UUCA to be amended to give space and freedom to the university students to be involved in politics.

Sahol Hamid said currently, the students had been given an opportunity to express their views and opinions through the associations and campus elections that were being held, and these were sufficient for them.

“In fact, I personally have my own Facebook account which is used to contact the UiTM students directly.

“They can make whatever complaints to me and appropriate action will be taken,” he said adding that Malay politics these days would lead to division instead of unity.