GEORGE TOWN, April 11 – The Higher Education Ministry Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT) is encouraging students who have registered as voters to go back home and vote for the 13th general election. Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah(pic) said he was confident that higher learning institutions have ways to facilitate this.
“We advise each public and private higher learning institution in Malaysia to use their discretion the same way they do for festivities.
“I am sure that each higher learning institution has made the necessary adjustments when the Election Commission announced polling day,” he told reporters after an awards ceremony at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here today.
He said the ministry need not issue a notice directing each institution to allow its students to return home to vote as it was nothing new. Saifuddin said the government also does not restrict students from campaigning, but they must arrange their time so that it does not affect their studies.
“To me they are like any other person who want to be involved in election campaigns. If they want to campaign they need to make sure it doesn’t conflict with their classes. If they need to apply for leave, do so.
“They’re just like anyone else, no special privileges. Since they are students they cannot miss class but they can ask for leave if possible. Follow the procedure,” he said.
Student involvement in politics has changed with the amendment made on Section 15 of the University and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971 which allows them to be active in politics.
BERNAMA
