KUALA LUMPUR: The Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 (Act 605) will be reviewed to ensure academic freedom in public higher education institutions, says Zambry Abdul Kadir.
The higher education minister said his ministry will particularly look into exempting public universities from certain provisions under Act 605.
Public higher education institutions are defined as statutory bodies, which means their staff are liable to Act 605, including Section 18, which bars them from making public statements criticising any government policies or decisions.
Zambry said the review of Act 605 is to ensure academics are not restricted or threatened by disciplinary action in conveying their views.
“However, this is with the condition that, in intellectual tradition, an academic shall not speak without facts or make baseless theories,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today in reply to a question from Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota).
This follows a circular from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia barring its staff from making public statements, especially those that disparage the government, or highlight weaknesses in its policies and decisions.
According to the circular, chief secretary to the government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar had reminded all public servants that they were not authorised to make any public statement unless specifically authorised to do so.
The circular also prevents the staff from issuing statements that embarrass the government or statutory bodies, or tarnish their image.
UKM later clarified that it does not bar its staff from making public statements, whether verbally or in writing, even on social media.
The university also maintained that it celebrated differences of opinions that would benefit the country and community, but said being ethical and mature in airing such views were a must.
