G25 Asks Four Public Universities To Explain Role In Malay Dignity Congress

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“The entire event was not perceived as a fact-finding forum, nor was it a gathering of students and scholars meant to debate national issues of concern to all races and religions of Malaysia. It was deliberately done like a political rally. This is objectionable”
(MMO) – Four public universities and their vice-chancellors have a duty to explain to Malaysians their reasons for taking an active role in co-organising the recently held Kongres Maruah Melayu (Malay Dignity Congress), G25 said today.
The group said the speeches at the congress left most Malaysians shocked at the level to which race and religion have been exploited to make demands in support of dignity for the Malays and Islam.
“The public is entitled to hear their explanation as the universities are funded by government allocations paid from taxpayers’ money,” the group said in a statement.
The four universities involved in the congress were Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
While acknowledging and respecting the right of autonomy in deciding what forums the universities wish to participate in, the group said that the speeches and resolutions from the congress are totally contrary to the public aspirations of Malaysia Baharu as outlined in the government’s newly announced Shared Prosperity Vision.
“The vice-chancellors have the right to disagree with the government’s concept of a shared prosperity, its reform agenda or with the notion of sharing political and administrative power with non-Malay political leaders or maintaining the country’s character as a secular constitutional democracy.
“However, as heads of academic institutions, they should be non-political in making their speeches and explain their ideas in a constructive manner,” he added.
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