Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) is concerned by allegations that a few students of the Mara University of Teknology (UiTM) at Dengkil were barred from leaving campus after calling out their peers who paraded in Ku Klux Klan (KKK) costumes.
Universities must be spaces where students are encouraged to question and challenge, especially on issues as sensitive as discrimination and historical injustice.
If students are punished for doing exactly that, it not only betrays academic freedom but also stifles the very “critical thinking and civic awareness” that the university intends to instil.
Such actions risk creating a chilling effect – signalling to students that speaking out against problematic acts or dominant narratives may come at the cost of personal liberty and safety.
The university must also clarify whether it is investigating the threatening messages allegedly received by these students from their peers.
Institutions must protect, not punish, students who engage in peaceful dissent – especially when that dissent contributes meaningfully to public discourse on human rights.
Suaram calls on the Ministry of Higher Education to swiftly conduct a transparent investigation into the allegations of punitive action against the students who spoke out.
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We also urge the national human rights commission Suhakam to independently look into the alleged incident for any violations of students’ rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom and freedom of movement.
Sevan Doraisamy is the executive director of Suaram.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
