Malaysian Digest caught up with Deputy Higher Education Ministry and Temerloh MP Datuk Saifudddin Abdullah to check out on how he feels about the recent rise in student demonstrations and how he, his ministry and Umno is taking this phenomenon.

Malaysian Digest: How is the ministry handling the recent rise in student demonstrations? Do you see this new political awareness among undergrads as a positive or a negative development?

Saifuddin Abdullah: Demonstration is accepted in democracy. That is why the government proposed the Peaceful Assembly 2011 Act (PA2011). But there are legal and illegal demonstrations. In the case of the 901 assembly, because the police allowed it, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Minister said that students should not be banned from it. This refuted earlier statements from two Vice Chancellors who were too hastened to make statement banning students from attending it, i.e. before the police allowed it. So, now, one should not be allergic to demonstrations. (These) Demonstrations are a reflection of students’ political awareness. But it is not the only or the best indicator of students’ political awareness.
 

MD: How have the recent events involving student demonstrations affected you, your ministry and your party Umno?

SA: Normally demonstrations are held as a last resort after all other channels are closed or not available. Or, after discussions and consultations had failed. In our context, many channels are available for students to voice issues, etc. If students want to demonstrate, that is their right and choice. But since the majority of the student population knows that there are other better ways of voicing their issues, therefore, to date, the demonstrations do not seem to be getting a lot of support. So, for this moment, Umno, MOHE and myself are not very worried.
 

Have you spoken or had a meeting with Mahasiswa Aspirasi Malaysia (Aspirasi) since the group handed you its memorandum and demanded for your resignation?

Aspirasi is a grouping involved in university students elections since early 2000. I know who their advisors are. Former Aspirasi activists formed Alumni Aspirasi, headed by Mohd Ashraf Abdullah and Alumni Round Table (ART), headed by Hanif Abdullah. The group asking me to resign is Alumni Aspirasi. I had no meeting with them after they handed me their memorandum. But on 5 January 2012, in the afternoon, Alumni Round Table held a press conference disagreeing with the call for me to resign. And later in the evening, they invited me to a discussion on how to amend AUKU and the political education needed after the amendment is made.  
 

How do feel about Adam Adli and Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia’s (SMM) refusal to apologize over the flag-lowering incident?

I was the first to publicly ask Adam Adli to apologize over the flag incident. Until today he has not apologized. Well, he will have to live with that.

 
What is the plan for Umno/Barisan Nasional (BN) to garner support from undergrads that seems to have growing inclination towards Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat?

Historically and universally, students are usually anti-establishment. So, if our students tend to be more supportive of the opposition, we should not be overly worried. Besides, this group is very vocal. So, they are more visible. But the fact is there many among them who are supportive of the government. And the big majority is non-partisan. But, they are not vocal. They form the silent majority. BN is enhancing its engagement with students.

 
How are the discussions on the amendments of AUKU going?

Both myself and Prof Nik Kamal, Chairman of the Amendment Committee, had chaired three consultations each. We should be able to table the amendment in Parliament during its March 2012 seating. Generally, there is a lot of support to the proposed amendments.
 

Do you think you will retain your ministerial post in the next Cabinet reshuffle?

It’s the discretion of the PM.

- mD