Politics for Varsities?

The cabinet has again disagreed, what's next for those who has the same idea of relaxing the regulation on varsity students to join politics?

Khairy Jamaluddin who voiced out this issue that the government should allow the students in universities be allowed to join politics, is now back to square one, disallowed by the government through a cabinet ruling on 11 August.

Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin said,  "Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971 is already adequate as students are allowed to be involved in political parties if they obtain permission from their vice-chancellors," giving a negative towards the suggesting of liberalising the UUCA.

On the same day of the cabinet ruling, Khairy lambasted at the decision of the cabinet as "gutless and indicates outdated thinking," via Twitter.

Students are supposed to focus on their academics rather than to divert themselves into politics, was probably the conservative thought. Many democratic countries are seen to be liberal on the stand that students of the major age are allowed to affiliate themselves with political parties.

Some suggested that it is a mockery of their own rules, allowing majors of age 21 and above to vote, but regulating them not to participate in political parties. Are the rights be returned to the students?

One major concern of the government, as suggested by Nizar Jamaluddin via Twitter, that the move of not relaxing the regulations, reflects the fear of support of students to the Pakatan Rakyat.

“It is sure that they will support PR because BN had violently robbed their rights to be active in politics,” he said

If Nizar is right, maybe students would have adverse reactions towards the regulations. Students in the varsities now is no longer passive, instead, voices could be heard, indirectly through the new media such as Facebook, blogs and YouTube services.

“Here’s a hint for the Cabinet: You want the youth vote, start by trusting them," said Khairy.

Voices of tomorrow, is what people call the youth of today. Government of today, is what stopping the students to be voices of tomorrow. Who shall defend the rights of the students, to be the voices of tomorrow, is the wait for today.