At a press conference today, UMSU said the policy undermined student autonomy and added unnecessary bureaucracy, replacing the previous procedure where UMSU directly handled approvals.

“Before this, we could approve proposals within three days and students could proceed with bookings smoothly,” said Yap Jei Shin, UMSU secretary for clubs and societies.

“Now, even after our approval, they still need to go through HEP, and that can take weeks.”

The student union said the policy had already disrupted campus activities.

Suara Siswa UM’s event, “Pelantikan Azam Baki: Wajar Atau Tidak?” was cancelled just a day before it was scheduled, despite prior approval.

“I received a call at 5.24pm saying the event was considered ‘controversial’ and required HEP clearance. Just two hours later, my booking was cancelled without a chance to appeal,” said Abishek Prasad, the event’s organiser.

Eryad, president of AIESEC UM, shared a similar experience.

“We were only told of the new requirement after our booking was revoked. We had just three days left before our event, and most venues were already full. Yet, we were still blamed for ‘poor planning’,” he said.

“This policy does nothing but impose unnecessary restrictions on student rights.”

UMSU vice-president Lim Jing Jet called the policy a blatant attempt to suppress student expression.

“Solid evidence of this lies in the official letter regarding the appointment of (HEP) advisers, which states that their role is to ensure that all student activities are in line with the aspirations of the government,” he said.

A total of 49 individuals and student organisations have endorsed a memorandum demanding the immediate retraction of the policy, improvements to the UM Point booking system, and more accessible venues, especially at Kompleks Perdana Siswa and faculty buildings.

UMSU said the policy was introduced without consultation and urged the university to prioritise student needs over administrative control.