Students may now join political parties
The government will amend Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1974 to enable students to join political parties when they are 21 years old, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak (pix) said today.
Najib made this announcement in his speech when he tabled a motion in the Dewan Rakyat to revoke three emergency proclamations.
"Above all else, the government believes in the maturity and wisdom of undergraduates. As such, in respecting the constitutional right of undergraduates who have reached the age of majority, the government will amend Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1974 to enable them join political parties," he said.
He stressed, however, that university students are strictly prohibited from bringing partisan politics into campuses.
Najib also said that the government would appeal against a decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of four Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia students who allegedly participated in the campaign for the Hulu Selangor by-election last year.