PKR Youth decries move to bar Anwar from UIA
MalaysiaKini.com
Dec 4, 2014

PKR Youth is disappointed with the excessive interference with a university to bar opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim from making a speech at an event tomorrow.

What’s more surprising, said the wing’s chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, is that there was interference from the Bukit Aman police headquarters to ensure the enforcement of the ban on Anwar giving a speech at University Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Malaysia.

“The obstruction by the administrations of universities, not only in UIA, clearly shows that there are those who make narrow political decisions.

“And, are bowing to pressure to make decisions along party lines,” he said in a statement today.

Nik Nazmi (right), who is also Selangor executive councillor for Education, Human Capital Development, Science, Technology and Innovation, pointed out that Anwar was invited to speak at the event by UIA’s students association.

He said that it is a shame the university had failed to appreciate the “spirit of academic freedom” and had barred the de facto PKR leader from speaking tomorrow.

“Ironically, many other international academic institutions, among which are Oxford University, Georgetown University and Stanford University, have openly invited him, not just to speak, but also to also guest lecture.

“These invitations and appointments (academic positions) clearly shows that these are forms of honour and acknowledgment of his contribution, experience and knowledge,” he said.

Anwar was a former UIA president, Nik Nazmi said, and pointed out that the the National Education Philosophy was formed during his time as education minister.

“We urge UIA’s administration to be more professional and not to bow down to any parties in the defence of academia and for the sake of the university’s dignity,” he said.

Malaysiakini has contacted UIA corporate communications as well as Bukit Aman.

UIA has explained it will investigate the claims, while the police said they are not able to comment pending confirmation from the university.

It was reported today that Anwar has been stripped of his Datuk Seri title by the sultan of Selangor. The palace stated that the decision was made because the opposition leader had questioned the integrity of the royals during the Selangor menteri besar crisis.

It took effect from Nov 3.

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