Just yesterday, we reported that MUDA President and Muar MP Syed Saddiq was disallowed from entering Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) for a discussion with the students there in regards to the treatment of interns, titled ‘Intern Bukan Buruh Percuma’ or ‘Interns Are Not Free Labour’.
Following that, many expressed their disappointed over the move made by the university and called on students to gather last night (March 30, 10pm) even if the event was cancelled.
As showcased by netizen, Izzah, on her Twitter page, students could be seen rallying at the location with the police present in the background. Syed Saddiq too showed up, much to the delight of the students.
Taking to his Twitter page, Syed Saddiq wrote, “I want to enter UiTM not to cause chaos. UiTM said that they want to maintain harmony and prioritise spiritual activities. I understand and I respect the decision. But, the fact is that I was invited to dialogue with the students about issues close to their hearts.”
“The program organisers had made the necessary applications. But, it was still not allowed. Some say that, after becoming a part of the government, I shouldn’t create these kinds of confrontations. It’s strange if a dialogue is considered a confrontation, I don’t know what other methods there are.”
He added that when he was a part of the opposition, he could enter Universiti Malaya (UM) with no problems, yet now that he’s with the government, he is being blocked from entry into a university.
Many other political leaders showed their solidarity with Syed Saddiq by calling out UiTM for their move to silence the dialogue, including Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, former Education Minister Maszlee Malik and Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin.
“Preventing an MP from entering the campus is turning back the clock. Is YBM Khaled Nordin (current Higher Education Minister) disobeying the direction of PMX Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is determined and promised to uphold the freedom of academics and students?”
“UiTM needs to live up to the vision and aspirations of PMX,” Maszlee Malik shared.
Despite all of this, Syed Saddiq ultimately agreed to compromise with the university’s condition of having the dialogue event after the Ramadhan season
“After discussing yesterday, and being given a middle ground, UiTM agreed to give commitment that this dialogue can be held after this month and will be attended by other panelists. I shall support this and I agreed.”
You can check out scenes from last night’s rally here:
Saya masuk UiTM bukan nak buat huru-hara.
Pihak UiTM katakan yang mereka ingin menjaga keharmonian & mengutamakan aktiviti kerohanian.
Saya faham & saya hormat keputusan.
Tetapi, hakikatnya saya dijemput berdialog bersama mahasiswa tentang isu yang dekat dengan hati mereka. pic.twitter.com/3FwVsvO5BR
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) March 31, 2023
Syed Saddiq dihalang daripada memasuki UiTM Shah Alam.
Kenapa takut dengan suara anak muda?#BukaUiTM pic.twitter.com/M5BhYQ7RZ1
— Parti MUDA (@partimuda) March 30, 2023
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
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