STUDENTS’ MANIFESTO (issued on 18 April 1969)

PREAMBLE

The University of Malaya Students’ Union believes that

this country must develop into a fully independent and
sovereign nation founded on Democracy, Freedom and
Equality. Only on such a principle can our multi-racial
society be moulded into a nation and the citizens find
his expression and identification in the state, sharing
his aspirations with others. UMSU believes that citizens
must be accorded his dignity and his fundamental right
to free expression of his thoughts and ideals.

In a democratic nation all citizens must be allowed to

participate in the political process and such no one
should be discriminated against because of his
ideology, race or colour. Only through the exercise of his
democratic right to free expression can the
contradictions in society be resolved.

The University of Malaya Students’ Union believes that

the nation of equality and justice must prevail, where
exploitation of man by man is eliminated and the
working class given its fair due.
The students of today must take an active part in
politics being citizens of the country. Having the
advantage on an education, students must involve
themselves actively in national affairs to contribute
back to the society.

BASIC DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS

1. PERSONAL LIBERTY

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(a) It is the fundamental right of every individual to
express his opinion on what is ideal. The government
must be prepared to accept any idea however radical,
even though it may be contrary to its policies. We
cannot accept that the preventive detention of any
individual indefinitely is democratic. Those accused of
having acted contrary to national interests must be
tried in an open court of law.

(b) Following this argument all political detainees must

be unconditionally released or brought to trial at once.
(c) Detainees and ex-detainees must not be
discriminated against in employment opportunities.

2. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

(a) The present annual licensing of the Press and

printing houses prevents free expression. This practice
is meant to enable the ruling party to make the Press
its organ for the Party’s interests, as the Press is made
to comply with the wishes of the ruling party to ensure
renewal of its license.

(b) The requirement to obtain a permit (KDN) for any

publication is another exact example of restricting free
expression.

3. FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION

That individuals in any society need to organise

themselves in order to achieve their objectives
necessitates freedom of assembly and association. The

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current practice of the Government to disallow an
assembly of five or more persons restricts the free
expression and interchange of ideas through organised
actions, and is therefore undemocratic. We condemned
the present restriction and pressure applied, direct or
indirect. Permission of any sort must never be required
for any peaceful assembly.

Further, the right of students to organise themselves,

the right of workers and peasants to organise
themselves and their right to industrial action, and the
free formation of political organisation must be
ensured.

NATIONAL UNITY

Social and economic disparity does not necessarily cut

along racial lines. However, because of our unique
historical development and conditions the social and
economic progress of Malaysians of Malay origin has
been hindered. It is therefore our duty to make special
efforts to raise their status, accelerate their economic
and cultural advances, bring about complete equality
among all races, and hence strengthen the unity and
fraternal relations among them.

Such economic and social reforms must be carried out

by themselves in accordance with their own wishes,
and by taking steps in conformity with their special
characteristics.

We oppose all tendencies to chauvanism and narrow

nationalism, both of which will hamper the unity among
the various races.

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EDUCATIONAL REFORMS

Education is a right of every individual and no one

should be deprived of this right because of socio-
economic factors, race, sex, religion or political
convictions.

Literacy and education are pre-conditions for

democracy. Illiteracy must be eliminated and equal
opportunities for education be given to all.

The right of students to participate in decision-making

process in all educational institutions must be ensured.

HEALTH

Proper health facilities must be provided to ensure the

physical and mental development of the people. This
will build up a nation of people of vitality, resilience and
dynamism.

Free medical facilities must be provided for all people

below a certain income.

MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS

Workers in the nation must be given their fair due and

exploitation of labour by the capitalists must be
eliminated. A minimum wage level must be instituted.
The daily rated system must be abolished and
unemployment insurnce schemes, medical benefits, and
old-age pensions must be provided.

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AGRARIAN REFORMS

This country is basically agricultural and land is an

important factor. The peasants are being dispossessed
of their land, with the accumulation of land in the hands
of a few absentee landlords. This lead to acute socio-
economic disparity which will inevitable lead to civil
strife in the country. To build a nation where economic
justice and equality will exist, the following programme
must be implemented:

(a) Land reforms, through elimination of absentee

landlords and equitable distribution of land to the
peasantry;

(b) Abolition of the middlemen system through the

provision of credit and marketing facilities by the State;

(c) Provision of technical assistance and farming

facilities.

FOREIGN POLICIES

No country is independent unless it pursues an

independent foreign policy. Inextricably bound to this is
the absolute necessity to defend ourselves with our
own strength without the need to rely on foreign forces.
The present move by our government to retain foreign
military bases while other countries all over the world
are liquidating the presence of foreign bases and
influence brings shame to a people who otherwise have
every reason to be proud of its ability to fend for itself.

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To this end, all foreign bases must be immediately
removed and our defence built up. We call the
establishment of friendly relations with all peace-loving
countries on the basis of mutual respect, on respect for
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, on full
equality of rights, on self-reliance, and on non-
interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

CONCLUSION

In presenting this manifesto, UMSU has held, above all

else, the necessity to impart to the people the
importance of realising that the future of our nation is
in our own hands. We have a nation to build; a nation
free of prejudice and founded on equality and freedom.
Our fundamental rights must never be denied from us;
Our fundamental liberties must never be suppressed;
Our basic national problems must never be left
unresolved;
Our fight for a just, democratic and equal society and a
nation of dignity and sovereignty must never lack in
resolution and strength.
We owe to ourselves what we deserve; We owe to our
children even more.

LET US DEVOTE OURSELVES TO THIS TASK WITH

RESOLUTION.

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