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Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 11. May 28 1979

Academic Freedom Destroyed

Academic Freedom Destroyed

The intent of the Rules is transparently clear in its suppression of the democratic freedoms of the University staff. As the Vice Chancellor of the University of Malaya Prof. Ungku Aziz spelt it out: "Suppose a lecturer on constitutional matters questions a certain aspect of the national constitution in the spirit of intellectual debate. Fine, I'll back him 100%. But it would be different if he then proceeds to lead a movement to bring about changes: that's one thing the new rules are clearly designed to prevent.

Any intellectual, who rightly sees the use of his knowledge, not for intellectual masturbation, but for serving and promoting the welfare and interests of the less privileged majority of our people, will find grounds to revolt against such draconian measures that deny him the liberty to perform his social responsibilities.