Student group slams Universiti Malaya over blocked forum, documentary screening on assembly rights
KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 — Student group Mandiri has strongly condemned the actions of Universiti Malaya's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs) for blocking a planned documentary screening and forum on assembly rights and the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, which was scheduled to take place on June 15, 2025 at 8pm on campus.
In a statement issued today, Mandiri described the move as a blatant violation of academic freedom and freedom of expression, adding that it reflects the increasing restriction of public space under the current Madani administration.
'Security and public order are often used as excuses to silence critical voices, when in fact such discourse is vital in educating students about human rights and civic responsibility,' the group said in a statement.
The group has demanded a public explanation from the university's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs) regarding the cancellation.
It also called for assurances that organisers and participants of the programme would not face any form of pressure or disciplinary action.
Additionally, Mandiri urged Universiti Malaya to make a clear commitment to uphold academic freedom within its campus.
The group expressed its solidarity with Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia and other students who continue to raise their voices and question authority.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Govt's funding a step towards future-ready mainstream media
KUALA LUMPUR: The allocation of RM30 million announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for media organisations in the country to implement digital transformation and adopt new technology received kudos from journalists, as it will go a long way to attract the younger generation to mainstream content. This initiative is also seen as significant to ensure that the mainstream media remains relevant in the fast-paced digital era, by positioning it as a platform capable of content creation to deliver information in a more creative, engaging, accurate and high-impact manner. National Press Club (NPC) vice-president Farrah Naz Abd Karim described the allocation as a catalyst for media organisations to use creative approaches in delivering important issues to make them more digestible for young readers. 'This also proves that the MADANI government is paying attention to this industry by working together to think about ways to improve the quality of output from players in the journalism industry,' she said, thanking the government for the allocation. Meanwhile, Sinar Harian Group Editor-in-Chief Zamri Rambli, when contacted, said the funding was an important step in strengthening the country's media industry. According to him, digital transformation is no longer an option but a necessity in ensuring journalism remains relevant and sustainable. 'Government support for media organisations will help us adapt to the challenges of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and shifts in reader habits. 'We hope that this fund can be effectively utilised, not only to enhance digital infrastructure but also to empower journalists to deliver news faster, more accurately and with integrity,' he said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the HAWANA 2025 summit at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre here last Saturday, announced an allocation of RM30 million for media organisations in the country to implement digital transformation and adopt new technologies. The HAWANA 2025 celebration, organised by the Communications Ministry with Bernama as the implementing agency, aims to recognise the role and contribution of media practitioners in national development. May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day in conjunction with the publication of the first edition of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939, to celebrate the contribution of industry players as a medium in shaping the minds of an informed society.
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Guan Eng graft case further delayed pending appeal
Lim Guan Eng, his wife Betty Chew (centre) and businesswoman Phang Li Koon are charged with offences allegedly committed in connection with the award of a RM11.6 million project to construct dormitories for foreign workers. GEORGE TOWN : The High Court here has fixed the corruption trial involving former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, his wife Betty Chew, and businesswoman Phang Li Koon for further case management on Sept 19 pending the disposal of their appeal. The new date was set this morning by deputy registrar Arif Shariff. Defence lawyers RSN Rayer and A Rueban Kumar said the new date was set to enable parties to advise the court of the status of the appeal. The three accused are appealing an earlier ruling by the High Court which dismissed their application to have the charges struck out. The Court of Appeal is expected to fix the appeal for hearing soon, having received the High Court's grounds of judgment on June 12. Lim, Chew and Phang applied to have the charges struck out on grounds that they were victims of 'double jeopardy'. They claimed that much of the documentary evidence involved in the present case overlaps with documents used in a previous case which Lim and Phang secured an acquittal from in 2016. On May 31, the High Court dismissed their application. Justice Rofiah Mohamad ruled that the claim of double jeopardy had no basis, as the 2016 acquittal did not involve the handing down of a judicial decision. 'There's a major difference in the alleged offence that took place, and it involved different persons. The case must go on,' she said then. The trio were charged on Aug 11, 2020 over the award of a RM11.6 million project to construct dormitories for foreign workers to a company linked to Phang. Lim was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 with abuse of power as then chief minister and as the Penang Development Corporation's tender board chairman. He was alleged to have given gratification worth RM372,009 to Chew, through Excel Property Management & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, by ensuring that Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd was offered the project to construct the dormitories in Juru and Batu Kawan. Phang was charged with abetting Lim under Section 28(1)(c) of the MACC Act. The offences were alleged to have taken place between Aug 19, 2013 and March 3, 2016. Chew was charged with three counts of laundering RM372,009 through a Public Bank account registered at the Taman Melaka Raya branch between Oct 7, 2013 and March 3, 2016. They pleaded not guilty after the case was moved from the Butterworth sessions court. In the earlier case, Lim was charged under Section 23 of the MACC Act with using his public office or position as Penang chief minister to obtain gratification for himself and Chew, by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem to convert agricultural land for residential purposes during a state exco meeting on July 18, 2014. He was also charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code for allegedly using his position to obtain gratification by purchasing a bungalow from Phang at RM2.8 million, which was below the property's market value of RM4.7 million at that time. Phang was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code for abetting Lim on July 28, 2015 after the latter bought her bungalow at Pinhorn Road. Lim and Phang were both acquitted by the High Court on Sept 3, 2018 after the prosecution decided not to proceed with the case.
Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
10,000 expected at anti-corruption rally
Organisers of the 'Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0' rally display the police notice and protest route in front of IPD Kota Kinabalu. KOTA KINABALU (June 16): Organisers of the upcoming 'Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0' anti-corruption rally are expecting around 10,000 participants, including supporters from outside Sabah, to turn up in solidarity with their cause. A spokesperson from Suara Mahasiswa UMS said the student-led movement has submitted a formal notice to the Kota Kinabalu District Police Headquarters (IPD) today, as required under the Peaceful Assembly Act. He clarified that, in line with the Federal Constitution, no permit is necessary for peaceful protests — only a notice — and that a detailed map of the protest route has also been provided. The rally organisers are making several key demands, including: Legal action against the State Water Department over the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) water supply fiasco, a complete reform of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) commissioner appointment process, harsher penalties for individuals found guilty of giving or receiving bribes and public dissatisfaction to be voiced over the current Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, due to his controversial past.
