AN MCA leader has expressed concern over the recent disruptions and cancellations of a handful of university events including exhibitions and forums addressing important societal issues, saying such restrictions of freedom undermine the very values the government claims to uphold.
These actions threaten academic freedom and free speech, reflecting the suppression of open discussion, said its Youth wing secretary-general Saw Yee Fung.
“MCA urges the government to take decisive action to protect these freedoms within public institutions.
“The last-minute revocation of an exhibition on human rights protection, the disruption of an event discussing statelessness, and other forums addressing legal rights within police custody are unacceptable.
“These are public events that were approved weeks or months in advance, and such last-minute cancellations by authorities reflect poorly on governmental bodies and go against the democratic principles we should be striving for,” she stressed.
According to Saw, auxiliary police had even switched off the lights at the café where the approved forum on statelessness was taking place.
She further pointed out that the government’s repeated promises to support freedom of expression ring hollow when such incidents continue to occur.
“Shutting down events and silencing debate is not only hypocritical but also detrimental to intellectual and social progress. Universities must remain places of free thought, not controlled environments where difficult topics are avoided,” Saw asserted.
“The government must avoid becoming a ‘Big Brother’ that monitors and controls speech under the guise of maintaining order. Instead, the authorities should honour their promises, protect freedom of expression, and promote open dialogue.
“Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democracy, not just a privilege. Restricting it damages our society and weakens our institutions.
“Academics must be free to express their views, and, alongside this, we must reject censorship and commit to openness, respect, and the free exchange of ideas.”
It was previously reported that several events were cancelled such as the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Vibe Festival 2024 in September 2024.
The event, which was initially planned by students to include discussions on politics, arts and human rights, was rejected by a deputy dean, who claimed it was “anti-establishment.”
In October, a forum titled “Stateless Citizens = Illegitimate Children?” which was also held in IIUM was disrupted when auxiliary police and officers turned off the lights, despite the event having university approval.
Meanwhile, this month, an exhibition by Suaram at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was cancelled a day before it was set to begin, despite prior approval. – Dec 20, 2024
Main image: The Malaysian Reserve
