Universiti Malaya Academic Staff Association (PKAUM) president Azmi Sharom said the “reminder”, issued by the integrity unit of the vice-chancellor’s office, reflected a university management which did not understand that one of the academia’s purposes was to view critically the society around it.
He added that it prevented the staff from doing their jobs and was a breach of the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.
“It will go a long way in ensuring that our university is not worthy to be described by that name.
“If academics and students were to comply with this repulsive and obtuse ‘reminder’, we would not be able to carry out and disseminate any sort of research which involves the government.
“The social sciences, economics, business, law, public health, engineering, to name but a few departments, are involved with work that by its very nature involves critical study of government policies and decisions,” he said in a statement.
The gag order, which was said to have been issued this week, warned staff and students against making statements detrimental to the university or the government’s policies, plans or decisions.
They are also not allowed to tarnish the reputation of the university or government, point out any weaknesses in policies, provide any form of information on the university’s functions or offer any form of explanation about the university or government.
They are only allowed to speak if permission is obtained from the relevant ministry.
A staff member who did not wish to be identified told FMT this was the first time the university had issued such a notice.
Azmi said the students and staff had a responsibility to disseminate their findings, thoughts and ideas to the world at large.
He added that the wording of the notice was vague enough that it could also include academic publications and presentations at conferences as well as ordinary university lectures.
He called on the vice-chancellor’s office to immediately retract the notice, adding that dissenting views were a healthy democratic initiative.
He also demanded a thorough review of the University and University Colleges Act as well as the Statutory Bodies Discipline and Surcharge Act which he said oppressed both students and academic staff.