M'sian Govt To Amend Law To Enable Students To Join Political Parties

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The government will amend Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1974 to enable students to join political parties when they are 21 years old, Prime Minister Najib Razak said Thursday. Najib made this announcement in his speech when he tabled a motion in the Parliament to revoke three emergency proclamations. "Above all else, the government believes in the maturity and wisdom of undergraduates. "As such, in respecting the constitutional right of undergraduates who have reached the age of majority, the government will amend Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1974 to enable them join political parties," he said. He stressed, however, that university students are strictly prohibited from bringing partisan politics into campuses. Najib also said that the government would appeal against a decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of four students of a university who allegedly participated in the campaign for a by-election last year. He said the decision had implications on the principles of the country's laws. The Court of Appeal had ruled that Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1974 which prohibits university students from taking part in political activities is unconstitutional and violates freedom of expression. -- BERNAMA