IT is important for us to continuously protect academic freedom. Any difference of views, opinions and comments given by an academician regardless how harsh it might sound or how much it might go against our thinking and perspectives, we should counter it professionally and intellectually through the process of dialogues, debates and discussions. As a civilised society, we cannot be too emotional and sensitive over the views, opinions and comments given by an academician. Academicians have been trained to give their views, opinions and comments based on their deep research and analysis.

As humans, each academician has their own sense of understanding over certain issues and they can also make mistakes. Having said so, we cannot force or compel academician to give views, opinions and comments to suit our interests or to serve the interests of anyone. To be a great academician, they need to be neutral and impartial at all times. It is highly impossible for an academician to give views, opinions and comments which can satisfy everyone. In fact, it is not the duty of academicians to give views, opinions and comments to satisfy anyone.

Whatever differences of thinking and perspectives we might have with the academician, we must not use laws and punishments against academician for their views, opinions or comments. We should also not put restrictions or censorship towards any academician just because we don’t like their views, opinions and comments. If we keep using laws, punishments and adding restrictions as well as censorship to academician, it will become pointless to live in a civilised society.

At the same time, we need to cherish academic freedom. Academic freedom is very important to ensure our country is able to produce individuals with high qualities in order to bring constructive changes to the society and to the country. Our country really needs high quality students and academicians which can provide critical views and ideas for the nation’s progress and development. It is very difficult for them to contribute anything to the society or to the country without having academic freedom. Academic freedom means that both students and academicians can engage in intellectual debate without fear of censorship or subjected to retaliation.

Due to the existence of many laws in our country, it has been the constant duty of the government to protect and guarantee academic freedom in the country. If we still recall, in late 2018, the then government under Pakatan Harapan (PH) has make several efforts to do major amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA), the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (PHEIA), and the Educational Institutions (Discipline) Act 1976 (EIDA). The first amendment was carried out to remove subsection (c) of Section 15 (2) of UUCA, which previously banned students from taking part in political party activities within the grounds of universities and colleges. The second amendment is to remove subsection (c) Section 47 (2) of PHEIA, which previously banned students from partaking in political activities on private higher educational institutions’ campuses. The third amendment was to remove subsection (c) of Section 10 (2) of EIDA, in order to give students the right to be involved in political activities on campus.

The amendment to these acts also states that any ongoing disciplinary action against students for participation in on-campus political activities under the acts will be discontinued when the amendments take stated to take its immediate effects. With all the amendments carried out to these acts, university and college students can participate in on-campus political activities without fear of repercussion. With these amendments, students can also express their views and ideas more freely without having any fear of being arrested or subjected to disciplinary hearing. All the amendments carried out in this particular law should be welcome and appreciated by all as it could further guarantee academic freedom. However, though efforts have been taken in the past to protect and guarantee academic freedom in the country, more efforts must continue to be taken in order to further strengthen academic freedom in the country.

At the same time, the government should re-examine all laws in the country which are seen as restricting the freedom of speech and expression of everyone like the Sedition Act 1948 as well. Recently, there has been a call for the government to remove the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) entirely. The government must go to the ground and meet the group of people which demanded for its abolition in order to understand their concern over retaining such a law.

The government must be actively engaged with the students and academicians to discuss about the issues concerning academic freedom in the country. The government must listen to the call by many over the need to create a better academic environment in the country. If we want to bring better changes to the country, the issue of academic freedom cannot be ignored or set aside. The time has come to encourage our young to speak without hesitation and allow them to think critically for their own good and the good of the nation.

More importantly, we shouldn’t stop the young from having different views or opinions with adults. Similar assurance should also be given to our academicians as well. Academicians should be encouraged to speak more and give critical views and ideas for the progress and development of our society and nation. We cannot create an environment where people live in constant fear or frightened to speak up and express their honest views. More importantly, we should not restrict the contributions of our students and academicians to society and to the country through rules and regulations. Any difference in views or opinions should be discussed through the process of dialogues, debates and discussions, not through law, punishment, censorship or retaliation.

* Muzaffar Syah Mallow is associate professor, Faculty of Shariah & Laws, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM).

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.