KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Jan 2009: University students and their institutions can organise and participate in protests against the Israeli invasion of Palestine, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said today.
He said the ministry had no objection to the students and universities staging such a protest as the amended Universities and University Colleges Act allowed it.
“I believe students can be involved in mass demonstrations like that. The amendment to the Act allows the students to participate in such activities, so there will be no problem for them to make their stand,” he said.
Khaled was speaking after launching the “Malaysia Future Leadership” programme organised by the CIMB Group and The Wall Street Journal Asia at Universiti Malaya, here.
Mohamed Khaled said it was not necessary for the students to get a permit for the demonstrations but they had to inform the university of their activities for safety reasons.
“Right now, we see protests here and there. Maybe they can participate in a national demonstration like that of the Malaysian Peace Movement or something like that organised by Umno Youth. I think they can participate in that. There is no need to take part in demonstrations daily here and there,” he added. — Bernama
