Dr Rundi: Varsity students should focus on their studies
by Johnson K Saai
reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 18, 2012, Tuesday
KUCHING:
Giving freedom to university students to join political activities off
campus is good, but not as election candidates, opined Assistant
Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk
Dr Stephen Rundi Utom yesterday.He said although many students were potential leaders, the issue remained whether they would become effective assemblymen or MPs.
“To me, giving freedom to university students to get involved in politics, including becoming candidates, has both pros and cons. It is good because we are not restricting any group in our society from speaking their minds.
“But contesting in the election, if I may say, requires something more than just the ability and credibility to be good leaders. A person who has those values may be able to win in the election, but that alone is not enough.
“The most important thing is the onus of any elected representative to shoulder the responsibility and trust that voters have put on him.”
He said this when asked to comment on the statement by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin in Putrajaya last Friday that university students were free to join political activities off campus, which includes becoming candidates for the general election.
Mohamed Khaled said this followed amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971 which allowed students to be involved in political parties and their activities off campus without any restrictions.
“If they are confident of winning (in the election), the students can contest for any party. This is an endorsement by the government on the students’ capabilities.”
Dr Rundi, who is also PBB secretary-general and Kemena assemblyman, said anyone who wanted to contest in elections must first of all be prepared in every aspect, including having sound financial standing.
“Anyone who wish to become candidates, particularly university students, must think properly. They should not contest due to their own emotions because that can ruin their future.”
Dr Rundi opined that ideally university students should focus on their studies first to ensure a more secure and stable future.
“There is no need for them to rush because for all potential future leaders the time for them certainly will come.”
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat concurred with Dr Rundi’s opinion on the matter.
“I also have mixed feelings about this because while it is good for students to participate in politics to gain exposure and experience, on the other hand it will to some extent distract their focus on their studies.”
He added that if his students were to take his advice he would prefer them to complete their studies and secure permanent jobs and think about joining politics at a later stage.
“What I used to ask my students is if you get elected what is there for you to offer to your electorates?
“One thing we have to remember is that in politics there is no such thing as smooth sailing,” he cautioned.
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