Msian DPM Muhyiddin Advises Undergraduates Against Abusing Political Freedom

GEORGE TOWN (Penang, Malaysia), April 26 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin Thursday advised undergraduates against abusing the political freedom they have been accorded under an amendment to the Universities and University Colleges Act. "This is a question of responsibility of young people towards the nation. The government does not restrict their rights. The act provides for democracy and freedom. It is hoped that the undergraduates will use this freedom for national development and not mere politicking," he said. A recent amendment to the act allows university students to hold positions in both political parties and campus organisations. The amendment was one of the several pledges of reform made by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. It is hoped that undergraduates would not abuse their political freedom to engage in unhealthy political activities, Muhyiddin said when responding to a question on the consequences of the amendment when he met students of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) during his one-day visit to Penang, a northern state in Peninsular Malaysia. The deputy prime minister had earlier addressed a gathering of about 6,000 civil servants and youths at a dialogue at the Tunku Canselor Hall of USM. Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister, said undergraduates of today were more matured in making decisions and they could also channel their grievances to the relevant authorities for a solution. At the ensuing dialogue session, Muhyiddin gave the assurance that the loan facility under the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) would be maintained for as long as necessary. He said the issue of abolishing PTPTN should not arise and be played up because the loan facility was aimed at assisting needy students to further their studies. "The PTPTN issue should not be politicised. The government made available RM43 billion in loans for disbursement to students. "Such a fund is most necessary for those who fail to secure scholarships. Abolishing it would be tantamount to denying the right of people who want to pursue higher education," he said. Muhyiddin also condemned the attitude of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat leaders who allegedly used the PTPTN issue to garner the people's support for vested interests. Earlier, the deputy prime minister paid tribute to civil servants, saying they were the pulse of national development as they had the important role of making a success of the national transformation initiated by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. "Consciously or otherwise, civil servants are key to helping us achieve success and results in the country and abroad," he said when addressing the civil servants. -- BERNAMA