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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association. Vol 40. No. 7. April 13 1977

General MSA Criticism

General MSA Criticism.

Dear Editor,

I make it clear from the start that I do not speak for the critics of the hawker sketch, nor am I part of the MSA gang. I am writing solely in the interests of overseas students. It was the MSA reply to criticism which compelled me to write these thoughts.

"Our Association is not a political party nor a political organ." Muldoon used this politicing "Sport, not politics." There are some Kiwis who believe HE is right! Do you belive him my dear Malaysians? You have come from a place of a politically most conscious ground. Malaysia. You know just as well as I do!

I was a close associate of the MSA once. But it did not take me long to understand what sin the association had. The association while providing members with solely social activities and boosting Malaysian prosperities is subtly preventing and misleading the students from becoming more aware. MSA was in the past very active in Government promoted activities, and some even went so far as siding with the Government. Issues like the cut-back, the Baling hunger strike, and the Tasek Utara squatters were not paid the attention and concern they merited. The present association has not taken a different course, judging by its present presentations. (Bear in mind I am not blaming the present MSA by referring to the past.) To me, the association owes a debt to the Malaysian students here or rather a debt to the people back home, by not participating in the student movement. (Don't tell me to join the association so that I can do something about it. I won't be able to do anything alone. This is rather an all Malaysian affair including the MSA's executive members.)

Another point of interest here. Suara Siswa has an article in the features and reviews of Vol. 3 No. 1 — "The role of Students and the task ahead." a workshop paper of FUEMSSO's 13th Annual Delegates' Conference 1976. I cannot understand why this paper appears in Suara Siswa. If the association has a determination to play a role in the student-movement, then it did a right thing. Otherwise. I can only say, this paper has been used to mislead the students: i. e. to pretend that the association is concerned with social issues. Therefore I am asking MSA to clear up this point, to me as well as to all Malaysians and Singaporeans. MSA committee members are all energetic young people. I am sure they can face criticism and make self-examination of association's policy. Deeds are needed for one to deserve one's fame.

R. Buchnan.