There are slightly more than 2 weeks till polling day and Malaysian political parties are pulling out all the stops to secure victory for their parties.
While giving one’s all is admirable, there are still boundaries and rules to adhere to, one of which is to not involve students in political campaigns.
In a recent viral TikTok video by @lokkohopunoh, Dungun UMNO Division chief, Datuk Din Adam can be seen speaking to a hall of students at UiTM Dungun, Terengganu, presumably as part of UMNO’s campaign leading up to GE15.
“Can you support Barisan Nasional?” he asked the young crowd eagerly.
Hilariously, his question was met with a pathetic response from the students who clearly did not share his enthusiasm. A handful even loudly shouted “No!”
Against the law
Online, Malaysians are enraged that UiTM’s administration allowed for the politician to campaign at the university.
Apparently, it is against the Universiti Teknologi MARA Act 173 which states that students from any of the universities listed in the Act are not allowed to participate in political activities.
However, one netizen pointed out that the talk in the video was probably allowed because the act only applies to students, not university administration or management, ministers and any outsider parties that could have organised it.
Forced to attend political talks and events
Although this video may come as a shock to many, it is not a surprise to alumni and those associated to the university.
“UiTM has always been like this. They’d cancel classes and make students attend political talks,” said one netizen.
One alumnus also shared that things were the same when he was studying in UiTM Perlis.
“We had to join a Barisan Nasional (BN) event. We were paid RM50 and it was considered an extracurricular activity. All the students were required to attend.”
Pressure on the university
In another tweet, a netizen shared that political events such as this BN talk are usually approved due to pressure from the party or the government on the university.
“My dad was a rector (at a university). During his time, he rejected a request to send students to an UMNO event, (with the reason that they) need to study.”
“Not surprisingly, he never finished serving his term. He was demoted from his rector position within 24 hours.”
Watch the full video below:
Watch on TikTok
Good on the students for defending their stance!
