00:00Political interference is prevalent in Malaysian university campuses, limiting academic freedom
00:06and autonomy, says independent scholar Sharifa Munira Alatas, noting students' fear and
00:12reluctance to engage in dialogues on national and societal issues due to political pressure.
00:18Speaking at a recent panel, she said politics should not have a place in university education
00:23as it restricts creative and critical thinking, especially in public universities where management
00:28and leadership appointments are influenced by politics.
00:32Munira said it is very difficult to speak against a highly politicized system, hinting at the
00:37repercussions faced by outspoken academics.
00:40She added that laws such as the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 curb academic
00:46freedom, while fellow academic Sarah Vidyasinghe said repression of academic freedom affects both
00:51public and private universities and leaves little room for dialogue.
00:55Munira also said genuine university autonomy, including the ability to manage and run universities
01:01without political appointees, is absent in Malaysia, though continued discussion may eventually lead
01:06to change.
01:07That is Rajareza, FMT.
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