The Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) would like to condemn the top management of the Universiti Malaya (UM) for its failure to uphold academic freedom and allowing interference from political parties in the making of decisions.

Political scientist Professor Mohamad Redzuan Othman has been directed to quit as director of University Malaya's Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel) by the Education Ministry.

His services as a Dean for Faculty of Arts and Social Science has also been discontinued by the top management of UM due to orders from the ministry.

Prof Redzuan had caused unhappiness among Umno members with his honest and professional political research which seemed to favour Pakatan Rakyat in the last election.

Without respecting academic freedom, Umno has used its authority in the government to seek revenge using Auku (Akta Universiti & Kolej Universiti). 

The top management of UM consist of professors. They, of all people, should know more on the value of academic freedom.

It is disappointing that they failed to defend UM’s academic freedom and continue to be controlled by the Umno government.

The academic freedom of UM is in crisis. In March, the former Bar council president and ex-Bersih 2.0 co-chairperson S Ambiga, was barred from giving a talk on ‘Public interest litigation’ in the UM by the deputy vice chancellor of the student affairs division (Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pelajar Universiti Malaya, HEP).

HEP was set up by the government to replace the Universiti Malaya Student Union (UMSU) in the 1970's to control student activities and oppress student's voices which were seen as a threat to the government.

When the top management fails to uphold academic freedom, students should stand up to defend the academic freedom of UM just like what the UMSU did in the 1970's.

The Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) is used by the government to control university staff and students which is against our fundamental rights and freedom.

The act had become irrelevant and needs to be reviewed urgently. Although the Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar (MPP) is limited by the AUKU/UUCA, Persatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya should voice out and play its role in this academic freedom crisis.