UM's intellectual freedom eroded after May 1969, says Sultan Nazrin
KUALA LUMPUR: The intellectual and political freedom once flourishing at Universiti Malaya (UM) was gradually eroded following the May 1969 crisis, Sultan Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah said.
Sultan Nazrin, the Sultan of Perak and Chancellor of Universiti Malaya (UM), stated that the intellectual and political freedom that once characterized the university was gradually diminished following the May 1969 crisis. He highlighted the university's history of political freedom of expression and the evolving student body and language of instruction due to the New Economic Policy (NEP).
Sultan Nazrin recalled the vibrant atmosphere of intellectual and political discourse on campus during the early days of UM, which was later compromised by the challenging decisions that followed the 1969 crisis. The book "A Living History: Personal Reflections on the University of Malaya" compiled by UM Press brings together memories and experiences of 30 individuals closely associated with the university, tracing its evolution from 1960 to 2010.
The book covers the personal accounts and reflections of those who studied, taught, and worked at the university, offering a unique perspective beyond its formal institutional history. Sultan Nazrin noted that the book does not shy away from the dilemmas faced by the university, including the compromises necessary to maintain balance during difficult periods.
He emphasized the transition from English to Malay as the language of instruction, which was a necessary step in UM's development as a national institution, even though English had been the medium of instruction since the university's establishment under British rule. The challenges of adopting Malay as the language of instruction were also highlighted in the book, with the transition reinforcing the role of Malay as the primary mother tongue and an essential aspect of UM's development as a national institution.
Sultan Nazrin acknowledged the diversity of UM's faculty, comprising academics and scientists from various backgrounds and religions, as another strength that helps the university maintain its relevance in a globalized world. He also praised Malaysian academics for consistently delivering advanced and globally relevant research, even in the face of challenges.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
