Essay of last resort...

when one had to convince the Admission Officer that English wasn't a problem.

I was surprised to find the existence of SuaraAnum.com's archived past publications. For my own record, I reproduce Cheng's article (in Issue 21, November 21, 2002), which is still relevant so long as UUCA exists in its present stifling form:

Selling Our Souls

For me, it all began in Standard Six when I scribbled "ahli politik" (politician) in the blank beside the word "ambition". That shocked a few weak-hearted teachers who meant well but who ever figured a girl of twelve will see her future with manipulative power-struggles in the murky world of politics normally associated with stubby and balding middle-age men complete with 'prosperous' pot-bellies? Well, no one told the girl that politics in a person's (or rather, a boy's) life starts at 40.

Our country's Universities and University Colleges Act 1979 (UUCA) has a profound effect on the intellectual freedom and freedom of speech in institutions of higher education. It affects not only the students but also the academia and impinges issues like race and government policies which are deemed 'sensitive', hence 'unsuitable' for open discussion, dissent and debate in our diverse and stratified society. While the rationale behind the act remains a controversial subject, the more perturbing fact is the level of apathy among those who are supposedly affected - the students themselves. At one glance, the Act seems pretty harmless, requiring university and college students to secure prior consent of their Vice-Chancellor whether they are organizing a prom or debate of any sort. However, take a step back for a wider view… our noble quest for knowledge is handicapped, severely restricted to the usual "safe" subject matters. A far-cry from the knowledge-fixated era in Greece when great philosopher, Aristotle told his students the secret to great knowledge, that is, "to question".

As the Canadian rocker, Alanis Morissette croons, "isn't it ironic?" Malaysian students face contradictory ideals; the raison d'etre of institutions of higher education is to promote learning yet that learning is only encouraged within a limited scope, preferably just enough to score an A in the examinations. This is appalling considering the fact that students of such high levels are generally inquisitive, idealistic and passionate with their newfound spheres of knowledge. And it is only natural that these blessed few divert to the social sciences like politics with their apt understanding of the world along with youthful zing to correct the wrongs of the status quo and in due course, 'change the world'. In the case of political awareness, it is when you know that you know you have to act, to quote Martin Luther King Jr., "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter". Politics is not bad; it is a reality of life and indeed promises the seductive realm of power to the hungry many. So why can't we talk about it?

Ah, the fall of others teaches us well. Being adventurous politically does not pay for students like the one student who was expelled from Universiti Teknologi Mara while two others from Universiti Sains Malaysia faced disciplinary actions for their involvement in a peaceful gathering to protest against the Internal Security Act 1960 sometime last year. Officially, the UUCA forewarns an imprisonment of up to six months and hefty fines if students and academics are found to be involved in any political party, society or trade union without the university's permission. Alas, the message is clear; politics is bad for us students. And the end result of the all-embracing nature of the UUCA is obvious; a generation of politically-indifferent students obsessed with consumerist desires and first-class honours. Just ask yourself, how many of us are sincerely anticipating the significance of their 21st birthdays that will grant us all an eloquent vote each in the next elections? And students do not deserve the blame, for questions on 'political awareness' do not come out in their examinations, it is therefore, unimportant and redundant in our jolly college life of shaking our bon-bons in discos or mugging for the examinations, or so they tell us.

Surprisingly, it was not always so. In the days of our parents, they had the unpredictable yet promising post-Merdeka period. The rest of the world had the Hippie Era of anti-establishment, infatuation for world peace, Jimi Hendrix and long hair. The year 1964 in America was an incredible, stirring period with the Free Speech Movement which started at UC Berkeley when students were prohibited from political activities on campus property. The students retaliated by holding rallies on the steps of the Administration building and sit-ins inside demanding their rights, starting a wave of similar protests across America. The movement's organizer, young Mario Savio made a moving statement in his speech, "The most exciting things going on in America today are movements to change America… The 'futures' and 'careers' for which American students now prepare are for the most part intellectual and moral wastelands. This chrome-plated consumers' paradise would have us grow up to be well-behaved children."

I am not exactly advocating a revival of the Free Speech Movement in Malaysia just yet. Rather, this article serves as a pondering thought to the very essence of our higher education other than the pragmatic economical view of the purpose of such institutions that reduces us to mere 'economic capital' (i.e. labour). When the youths are equipped with the theoretical and technical know-how, our young country can advance through the 21st century as an ideal developed nation as propagated by Vision 2020. But when they are denied their rights to question and express themselves, I fear, we will lose our souls along the way.

For the Love of K.M.

My comment:
SuaraAnum was founded and edited by Nik Nazmi at the age of 19 and he had written articles for some known journals as a student.

At 26, he happens to be the youngest elected ADUN for Seri Setia at the recent General Elections 2008 and now holds the post of Political Secretary to Menteri Besar of Selangor!

Would he be able to develop his potential if he were to stick to UUCA requirements?