The Codification of Liberty: Empowering Malaysian Student Activism in the United Kingdom

Back in January of this year, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin encouraged Malaysian
youths to be more open to discussing sensitive issues. This kind of student activism is often touted as
imperative to creating a high quality human capital capable of leading Malaysia in the near future.

However, a history of government sanctions upon those who voice their thoughts publicly makes his
words naught but hollow. There is an aura of fear that pervades amongst Malaysian students that
stifle them from exploring important but sensitive topics. Issues such as race relations, religious
freedom and social disparity are rarely, if ever, discussed, with student leaders cautious of potential
repercussions from the government.

An interesting recent development amongst Malaysian students in the UK could be the first step to a
solution. It has been observed that student societies there are becoming more socially and politically
apathetic due to this fear. Far too often their focus falls on Malaysian food, clothing, dance and
musical instruments, leaving social issues like urban housing crises and religious discrimination to be
ignored. Legislative protection would allow them to undertake their responsibility towards Malaysia
freely. In line with this, serious talks are being held to produce a document outlining the proper
codes of conduct for Malaysian students, specifically with regards to speech

It seems ironic to be pushing for a set of codes that limit freedom of speech in the efforts to increase
liberty. However, the codes themselves can be used to clearly define what prohibited speech is,
guaranteeing safety for those who act within them. This lower ambiguity opens up more freedom
for student organisations to engage with certain issues that were untouchable before.

Considering the creation of this document, it is possible to utilise existing resources in the UK.
Particularly, the United Kingdom and Eire Council of Malaysian Students (UKEC) could be mobilised
to spearhead the issue. This is an umbrella body for all Malaysian student organisations in the UK,
who collectively represent around 19,000 university students. Through UKEC’s Supreme Council,
which is made up of the leaders of these organisations, consensually producing these codes of
conduct is feasible. Concessions could be made for the opinions of certain figures of authority from
Education Malaysia (the governing body for UK Malaysian students) and the High Commission of
Malaysia in the United Kingdom. The document produced from this can be approved by the High
Commissioner as well for further legitimacy.

Are these students ready for this level of freedom? Despite the aforementioned creeping apathy, it
can be proven that UK students are not only eager and willing to engage with this sort of discussion,
they are respectful of the intellectual rigour necessary to truly do justice to the topics in question.

The former can be seen from the UKEC’s Strategic Meeting held last year, bringing together the
Malaysian student societies to talk about certain issues. Two of these, concerning political maturity
and portrayal of Malaysian culture, were discussed deeply. Is Malaysian culture simply different
forms of clothing, food etc. or does it concern our beliefs and inner biases as well? How can political
maturity be achieved in line with TN50 if students are actively discouraged from speaking out? This
was the level of questions asked, openly and honestly with genuine urgency.

Similar considerations were also apparent within other organisations. When a motion to urge the
UKEC to be more vocal about Malaysian social issues was passed, the discourse that was had
included caveats of proper intellectual depth to be kept at the forefront of thought. It is especially
telling of the readiness of UK students for more freedom of speech that this level of caution and
respect exists even without the codes of conduct in place.

One Malaysian student organisation called the Independent School of Thinkers goes even further,
analysing social issues such as racism through philosophical theories. For example, the negative
perception of other races within the Malaysian society was compared to how the West perceived
the East as exotic but inferior in the past through the seminal work of prominent philosopher
Edward Said. Analyses at this depth are what is necessary for proper understanding of social issues
to move towards effective solutions and prove further how ready UK students are for greater
freedom of speech.

The document established in the UK could be used as a template to protect students at home,
where it is more necessary. Especially for students who have to deal with UUCA restrictions, similar
ambiguities can be eradicated and they can better voice their concerns while being guaranteed
protection. It is an elegant first step to full liberty, with the document providing a focal point which
can be expanded upon in the future through amendments. Through leveraging student activism in
the UK, local students may be able to revive proper student activism in Malaysia. All there is left is
that first step.