UKM pulls plug on Najib event due to security, not politics

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has clarified that its decision to postpone a student-organised event featuring former premier Najib Abdul Razak this afternoon was not related to politics.

Deputy vice-chancellor Roslee Rajikan said there was a lack of security personnel to ensure the smoothness of the event.

"When the students informed us of the event, we told them that in terms of safety, we do not have enough manpower.

"As a university, we have a responsibility to students and our role is to guide them to ensure any programme they organise runs smoothly.

"So we advised them to postpone the event," he told The Star.

The daily further cited him as saying that the Education Ministry was not involved in the decision. 

Roslee said UKM is open to all politicians regardless of whether they are with the ruling coalition or opposition.

"We do not have any restriction on student activities, even if it includes inviting politicians from both (sides of the) divide to campus.

"In fact, we just held a forum yesterday where Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad and Bersatu supreme council member Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen were invited to discuss changes in the Malaysian political landscape," he added.

The “Sembang Santai Bossku” event was organised by the institution’s Student Representative Council (PMUKM).

The council's deputy president Muhammad Izzat Ebrahim regretted the postponement, saying they previously applied for permits following the proper procedure and obtained approval.

Later, Najib met students at the UKM mosque, where he questioned Education Minister Maszlee Malik's promise for greater academic freedom.

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