By Elizabeth Day and Ben Sheriff
The Cambridge University Malaysian Society is embroiled in controversy this week over its decision to invite the Malaysian Prime Minister to speak at a forum, in spite of Malaysia's recent human rights record.
The conference, 'Malaysia in the New Millennium', will be held tomorrow. According to CUMAS President, Tan Khoon Tee, its sole aim is to bring together "key Malaysian policy-makers to discuss current Malaysian issues". Yet the Cambridge Coalition for a Free Malaysia has written to the University Chancellor Prince Philip protesting against the invitation extended to Dr Mahathir Mohamad and claiming the support of a Cambridge Nobel Prize winner for their protest. They accuse the Malaysian Premier of using restrictive legislation such as the Internal Security Act to curb freedom of expression and association.
The allegations surround Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was dismissed from his post in September 1998 by Dr Mohamad, arrested and severely beaten in custody. At his trial, witnesses reversed their previous testimony and Anwar's lawyer was jailed, leading to near-universal condemnation of the Malaysian regime by human rights groups worldwide.
Amnesty International is staging a peaceful protest outside the conference venue, Lady Mitchell Hall, on Saturday. Clare Hinkley Smith, Cambridge University Amnesty President, plans to be there "to give voice to the concerns of Malaysian students unable to express themselves freely". Almost all Malaysian students at Cambridge are government funded scholars and therefore unable to protest openly.
Amidst this growing furore, several economists and academics from Cambridge University are allegedly boycotting the conference, citing previous commitments and withdrawing their participation. In spite of an invitation, and CUMAS' initial insistence that he would be participating, University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Alec Broers will not be attending, "due to a longstanding prior engagement," although it was understood until quite recently that he would be there. He will instead be sending his deputy, Mrs Anne Lonsdale. The Vice-Chancellor said, "Malaysia sends more students to Cambridge today than any other Commonwealth country and its students are highly motivated with an impressive record of achievement. They are also forward-looking, as illustrated by their organisation of the 'Malaysia in the New Millennium' conference, the importance of which is indicated by the attendance of the Prime Minister."
Professor Amartya Sen, Master of Trinity College and a former Nobel Prize winner was also unable to attend "owing to previous engagements". Speculation from some sources has linked Professor Sen with the Coalition for a Free Malaysia's claim of support from a Nobel Prize Winner.
Mr Michael Kitson of St Catharine's College, who will be speaking at the conference, refused to comment on the Malaysian regime's human rights record. The reluctance at the highest levels of the university to give the CUMAS forum an official stamp of approval has not dampened Tan Khoon Tee's enthusiasm for the conference. The CUMAS President said, "The very fact that the Malaysian Prime Minister has agreed to attend proves that he is willing to answer any allegations."
Further defending the forum from an onslaught of criticism, Tan Khoon Tee said this week that the Prime Minister's opponents "have the right to express an opinion but the way in which they express it needs due consideration. Quite a lot of the opposition is motivated by personal sentiment or loyalty to someone."
Jenny Kleeman, a third year SPS student who earlier this year participated in a peaceful demonstration against the visit of the Chinese Prime Minister to Cambridge, responded that "no matter how prestigious the politician, a dismal human rights record cannot be ignored and the only way to make this heard is through direct action."