Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 38, Number 13. 12th June 1975
Dr. Mahathir's Talk In Malaysia Hall (London) Boycotted
Dr. Mahathir's Talk In Malaysia Hall (London) Boycotted
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Minister of Education, gave a talk in Malaysia Hall on the evening of the 23 May. Many students boycotted his talk. The attendance was a poor 40 to 50 students.
The theme of his talk was the December student demonstrations in support of peasants. He castigated Malay students for wasting their time taking part in demonstrations instead of studying. His explanation for the amendment to the Universities and University Colleges Act was to protect the majority of students from being harassed by a militant minority. (More than 10,000 students demonstrated in support of peasants who staged hunger marches in December 1974! — Ed.)
Prior to the amendments to the UUCA, Deans of faculties were democratically elected by the academic staff. The Minister charged that Deans so elected were incapable of making decisions. Furthermore, there was a tendency for divisions and factions to develop within faculties over electing candidates. These problems would be overcome under the new provisions whereby the selection and appointment of Deans are undertaken by the Minister of Education, Dr. Mahathir commented.
Dr. Mahathir observed that many students who came to him to obtain medical certificates before entering university were very friendly and polite to him. However, there was a marked change in their attitude when they had completed their two-week orientation programme. These students expressed hostility and hatred towards him, and Dr. Mahathir claimed that they were brain-washed during the orientation programme.
Some students commented after the talk that Dr. Mahathir is sadly mistaken if he believes that students can be intimidated by repressive measures from championing the cause of justice and democracy for the people.
(2nd June. 1975, Fuemsso)