Aliran: Action against Aziz Bari mocks Academic Freedom and Intellectual Integrity
October 22, 2011
www.themalaysianinsider.com
Aliran: Action against Prof. Aziz Bari is “a mockery of intellectual freedom and integrity”
Aliran is outraged by the reported suspension of the constitutional law expert, Professor Abdul Aziz Bari, of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIA).
His suspension comes in the wake of his publicly expressed opinion regarding the recent decree by the Sultan of Selangor over the controversial Jais raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church.
Many Malaysians share his opinion and look up to him as a brave academic who did not betray his conscience in expressing an honest opinion without fear or favour. This intellectual freedom of expression must be the hallmark of an institution of higher learning. It is rare individuals like him who inspire students to speak the truth and defend what is right. He is an asset to IIUM.
The action taken by the university against the learned professor is baffling. The university is
guilty of committing a serious travesty of justice as its action amounts to a denial of the right of academics to offer their expert opinions on matters that they specialises in and are concerned about.
It is expected of the professor to share his knowledge and expertise with the rest of us. That is the primary purpose in recruiting the best lecturers to teach and mold our youngsters to be responsible citizens.
If anyone disagrees with his view, he or she should do it intellectually and in a civilised manner to enhance an understanding of the issue at hand for both the academic fraternity and the larger community. A sledgehammer such as the Sedition Act should not be used to suppress healthy discussion.
It has not been proven that his views are invalid and without merit. Malaysians should be told why his views are wrong. We should indeed start a debate to discuss this issue in a civilised manner as befitting a civil society.
Equally important, the university’s action makes a mockery of the notion of intellectual freedom and integrity that a university worth its salt is supposed to promote and protect. If this important value is not protected and guarded, what is the worth of a university?
Besides, the measure of an intellectually vibrant institution of higher learning is recognised and honoured when there are open discussions, debates and dissenting opinions. The prevalence of a lacklustre follow-me mentality — symptomatic of the larger political and feudalistic culture — will be the death knell of a university.
Aliran calls upon the IIUM authorities to lift the professor’s suspension immediately and cease all other similar actions that would only smear and sully the university’s academic reputation.
It is time for the UIA authorities to rescind their decision to suspend Prof Aziz Bari. This sad episode will have long term effects on the University’s reputation and academic freedom in general for our country.
I for one do not understand why our government can react in this way when it allows its propagandists to spread lies and false stories about those who do not agree with its policies. Why not start listening to your critics and well meaning citizens?–Din Merican
dinobeano - October 22, 2011 at 10:44 am
There must be freedom of expression.
There must be no suppression of views from the academia.
Views from the academia can also be examined and challenged.
But the authority must never intimidate or shut him down.
Is Malaysia a form of tyranny???
Are we going back to the dark ages???
Look at the Arabs in Libya and Middle East. They now demand for democracy, freedom and a better life
The aims of Harvard University is to create knowledge and to open the minds of students.
robert - October 22, 2011 at 10:47 am
This is Umno’s tried-and-tested strategy to remove or ‘turn over’ any person who exposes Umno’s crooked ways.
Former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad removed Chandra Muzaffar from Universiti Malaya because he used to be critical of Umno. Chandra has since been turned over and he now tries to justify PM Najib Razak’s hypocritical and farcical 1Malaysia.
Abdul Aziz Bari has been a thorn in Umno’s flesh because of his logical and rational opinions on how Umno’s kangaroo courts have come up with ridiculous judgments, especially in the Perak constitutional crisis case.
Najib and Umno must have pressured the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) authorities to take this unwarranted, unjustified and despicable action.
Observer - October 22, 2011 at 10:52 am
Dear Fellow Malaysians,
Does a government which do the following deserve your support/vote
1. Suppress freedom;
2. Use the institution of State, including the judiciary, MACC, PDRM, Rela and the civil service as adjuncts of the political party of UMNO;
3. Give voting rights to migrant workers. Soon they do not need the Malaysian votes;
4. Displace the Malaysian workers with migrant workers even in areas like cashiers in petrol stations, cleaning services and other jobs which should rightly go to Malaysians;
5. Immense leakages in the spendings;
6. Promise heaven but gives hell;
7. Carry out crony orientated ETPs which give rise to huge inflation and suffering to the rahyat jelita.
Jeffrey Lim - October 22, 2011 at 12:08 pm
This learned Professor and so-called expert in Malaysian constitutional law should be reprimanded for failing to make clear his stand on the issue. He should have been asked to elaborate on what he meant by “inconsistent statement” and “not in keeping with Islamic teachings”. If he were a student in my class I would not hesitate to give him a D for clarity of thought.
He deserves the treatment he is getting but all for the wrong reasons.
scarlet.pimpernel - October 22, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Scarlet pimpernel
Would you also like to demand the same clarity of reasoning from the Selangor Sultan who pronounced the vague opinion. For failure to apply the same standard, your view is biased.
anakmalaysia - October 22, 2011 at 3:34 pm
anakmalaysia,
Scarlet wouldn’t one laa…..Seriously, I don’t give a damn about monarchy this day. If the sultans doesn’t follow the constitution strictly, it’s time to do the inevitable.
looes74 - October 22, 2011 at 6:21 pm
“Would you also like to demand the same clarity of reasoning from the Selangor Sultan … ” anakmalaysia
The Sultan is not a University professor learned in the law. In law he is a constitutional monarch not learned in the law. This one appears to honestly believe he is only doing what the state constitution requires or allows him to do i.e. as head of the Muslim religion. A vestige of the country’s colonial past the authority and ambit of which has not been tested? You tell me.
We are not in the position to demand that the Sultan explain anything because he is the sultan and you and I are not. Kapish??
scarlet.pimpernel - October 22, 2011 at 8:29 pm
“If the sultans do not follow the Constitution strictly, it’s time to do the inevitable” — looes74
And what is that?? Off with their heads? Put them at the end of the pole and line them up along the freeway?
Mr Bean - October 22, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Mr Bean
Easy. Pension them off and convert the publically funded palaces to 5 star hotels and as tourist attraction. Heaps of public funds saved put to better functional use to benefit the Rakyat.
anakmalaysia - October 23, 2011 at 1:19 pm