Political parties might be allowed to open branches at universities, says minister

Political parties might be allowed to set up branches at universities after the government's amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971. 

Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said a number of amendments had already been made, giving students greater freedom to carry out political activities. 

"We have made various amendments involving student activities and university administrations.

"We have given students the freedom to join political parties, within or outside of the campus. 

"All of these have been relaxed, perhaps including the matter under proposal," he said at the Dewan Rakyat today. 

Khaled was responding to Mersing MP Muhammad Islahuddin Abas who asked if the government would permit political parties to open branches at universities. 

He earlier asked about the possibility of vice-chancellors at public universities being appointed by way of vote by university staff. 

Khaled said the appointment of vice-chancellors would be made by the minister, in line with the current practice and the provisions of the Universities and University Colleges Act.

He previously stated that the government had no plans to do away with the act. 

Pakatan Harapan, in its manifesto for the Nov 19 election last year, had pledged to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act.

It was amended in 2012 to allow students the freedom to participate in political activities outside of campus, and to keep campuses free from such activities.