“The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth” – John F.Kennedy
The campus elections in higher learning institutions across Malaysia are currently underway. It is an important event which occurs annually where the students themselves participate in a democratic fashion to elect their representatives for their universities or colleges, which is locally known as the MPP (Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar).
Issues which normally plague campus elections are the manifestos of the candidates which often focus extensively upon welfare matters, are highly populist in nature and fairly material-centred. The apparent lack of student idealism or the necessary imagination demanded from intellectual youths that clearly displays their ideas and core beliefs signals an absence of enthusiasm and ability for significant contribution towards society at large but rather more of an attempt to satisfy heedlessly his or her voters.
The script or pattern is basically the same for most campus elections, the theme being unhappiness at the current state of affairs, how the system has failed them and how these issues have victimized them. These are somewhat common rhetoric done to garner votes. The MPP’s themselves are often ‘seasonal’, merely fulfilling what is contained within their manifestos as an indicator for plaudit. This highly narrow and mistaken belief is unfortunate yet rampant throughout campus elections. The tendencies in advocating welfare issues almost certainly make the voters become extremely complacent and dependent, taking all their prosperities and opportunities given for granted.
Another topic that would constantly be sensationalized by all sides of the sphere would be the slogan chanting of rejecting any kind of affiliations from outside politics, referring to the influence from domestic political parties. Yet, in reality the situation is somewhat otherwise. The obvious yet often purposefully refuted “proxy war” between the two central factions, “Pro-Mahasiswa” versus “Pro Aspirasi”, those whom are deemed to be anti-establishment pitted against those supporting government aspirations are live and well.
The manner in which certain candidates vehemently deny having ties with such entities is indeed an act of blatant manipulation, feigning ignorance and treating the voters as fools. The constant speculations, accusations, propaganda, provocation, intimidations, labelling and all kinds of tactics, all in the name of so called “mind games” are inconvenient truths occurring with zest during campus elections.
This causes some youths to quickly lose interest as they become disillusioned, dishearten by the countless false promises, repulsive “zero sum game” strategies and ultimately shun politics altogether. For the fence sitters, especially those new to campus elections would find all these quite overwhelming. Subsequently, this gives birth to the cynical group of youths in existence today, often sarcastic, highly distrustful and has contempt for the system as a whole. More alarmingly, these individuals are the integral stake-holders of this nation.
The dilemma of getting drawn easily into petty polemics without any substantial solution seems to be sort of a trend too nowadays. As candidates vie for personal profits and executing their benefactor’s agendas, the widening division amongst students jostling for power is certainly disturbing. The distraction caused by all sorts of unrestrained excitement leads to continuous quarrels to persist without ethical guidelines, creating hostility amongst various groups of differing opinions. The thing that is clearly lacking in the channels of communication for example social media is civility and constructive criticism.
The irony of it all can be further described when a popular issue is dramatize in a highly politicised atmosphere with the goal of gaining as much attention as possible, being jubilantly celebrated like in a festival yet if the same amount of effort and weightage is given for more pressing matters such as urban poverty and social ills, a lot of problematic issues we face could possibly find its resolution. Campus politics ought to transcend well beyond the practices and typical narrow views based on the benefits of certain camps or entities.
Apart from the above ranting, there are certainly many more predicaments faced by the knowledgeable youths of today. Which leads to the question; “What must be done now?” The idealistic answer would suggests of returning to the fundamental purpose of a functional higher learning institution, which is to embody the very meaning of the “university spirit” where the concept for contestation of ideas, keenness for knowledge, deep understanding of self-identity, preservation of honour and personification of student idealism takes precedents above all else.
From a pragmatic approach, the necessity to reject the practices of cheap popularity contests or known as “cosmetic politics”, deceivingly charming orating, campaigning of impractical and amusingly silly manifestos, are in essence imperative. The traditional “poster battles” must be made into an obsolete culture. Now is high-time for students to choose substance over superficial features which will contribute to dispelling the illusion of several group’s strength in campus politics.
In addition, interference from external forces of all sorts is an educational tragedy as coined brilliantly by Dr Siddiq Fadzil, a renowned Malaysian scholar who described such a violation as “politicizing non-partisan institutions”. Plus, the adaptation of a model in universities that highlights virtuous aspects as a priority is certainly sought after as it is able to inspire and more importantly influence the democratic practises outside of campus walls and not the other way round.
The denunciation of extremist-type politics and ethnocentric behaviour is important in order not to lose sight of things of actual significance. We the students must also play our roles as the voice of conscience that is able to help shape perception and public opinion, as well as reignite the flame of idealism amongst the lethargic and lacklustre majority living in a comfort zone of the facilities and welfare provided.
Moreover, the students’ involvement in the decision making process of the administration of universities similar to that of higher learning institutions of prestige all around the world has to be carried out to enhance the sense of responsibility. It is correct to highlight the issue of autonomy for students and the overall reduction of bureaucratic processes plaguing our learning institutions.
Efforts must be carried out to create ample awareness for the masses as well as those unreceptive to partake in politics by providing the necessary exposure to political education (siyasah syari’iah) and democratic values which in the long run would assist youths immensely as a mobilizing force of enlightenment. The platform will not only equip future leaders with the necessary experiences and lessons as a perfect acidic test or benchmark to see the readiness and abilities of these future prospects of national leaders but also the instil the importance of carrying out responsibility of choosing a leader through democratic means as citizens of the state.
Worth mentioning also is the capacity of youths as a credible persuasive force in the current system to help improve it to its optimum efficiency. Emphasis should be place on individual potential and proper moral development, disseminating a culture of education rather than committing “gutter politics”. Subsequently this leads to the creation of agents for dependable change, not merely event oriented and welfare based but performs as dynamic and actual trend setters towards self enhancement and purposeful activism.
Furthermore, with the recent amendment of the AUKU (Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti), a repressive act which had previously restricted students from partaking actively in political activities, student societies and NGOs, the opportunity to utilize such space for the benefit of society is certainly a challenge dealt out to students to prove their worth but also as a recognition besides acknowledging their significance and potential contributions. Hence, students must depict themselves as a formidable force that is non-partisan to champion the issues concerning the masses and eventually make up the basis of what is known as civil society movement.
In conclusion, the writer congratulates all candidates along with their campaigning workforce that participate in campus elections. The writer urges all students to vote the best representative available not based on prejudice and sentiments, rather, meritocracy as well as the basic tenets of student idealism. Full support must be given to candidates that base their struggle upon the principle of truth and social justice. In the end, the victors are not the candidates themselves but the real winners are the voters.
MOHD HALMIE AZRIE ABDUL HALIM
Pasukan Penyelidik
PKPIM Sesi 2013/2014
(*penulis juga merupakan pelajar Sains Politik dan salah seorang aktivis PKPIM di UIAM Gombak.)
