ALOR SETAR -- The Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) is relevant for university students who are incapable of self-responsibility or those who do not appreciate the privileges accorded to them, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
Dr Mahathir, who asserted this when asked whether the Act was still relevant, said the government never prohibited students to organise debates in the university.
"What we forbid is their action to go and campaign here and there; people paid to educate us...we study on other people's money so we should be responsible to those who sponsored us by studying well.
"A lot of Malay students gained entry into universities not because of their academic achievements; if they don't work hard they will lag behind.
"They should focus on and complete their studies, obtain a job, have an income, and then they can do what they like," he told reporters after a attending a discourse series in conjunction with the International Year of Cooperatives 2012.
Dr Mahathir said students should not think that they could not become good politicians if they did not get involved in demonstrations, adding, "During my time there was no demonstrations, yet (I) turned out to be quite a wise politician."
"What is regrettable is that those who are objecting to the UUCA are Malay students and not the other races.
"I am not racist but Malay youths who were not highly qualified are the ones who wanted so much to have the act repealed. The UUCA is not relevant if we know how to take care of ourselves," he said.
