KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has warned its students against participating in a dialogue session featuring Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman tonight.

In a statement, the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies Dean Professor Nor Hafizah Mohamed Harith said that students are only allowed to participate in on-campus programmes that have the university’s approval.

"In connection with that, students are requested to not be involved with the Universities and University Colleges Act (Auku) 1971 Revocation Tour Programme and ‘Interns are not Forced Labour’ Dialogue held at Dataran Cendekiawan, UiTM Shah Alam, which will be held on March 30 at 10pm, considering that this programme did not get the university’s approval,” she said.

The reminder cited Section 4(1)(l) and Section 14(2) of the University Teknologi Mara Act 1976 as well as Section 10(5) of the Educational Institutions (Discipline) Act 1976 as justification.

Participation in any programmes on campus, including those related to politics, was allowed if written approval was sought first, she said.

"In this matter, the faculty will not be held responsible for any incidents of violations that might lead to disciplinary action which will be taken against any students involved,” she added.

She expressed her hope that the students of the faculty will use the proper channels as well as obey any procedures and guidelines accordingly in any matters while safeguarding the university and faculty’s good reputation.

She also said that her request was in line with the Notification of Student Participation in Any Program That Does Not Have University Approval issued by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs dated March 28.

Earlier this evening, Syed Saddiq said that he will still head to UiTM to engage with the varsity students in a dialogue session tonight organised by Muda affiliate Ikatan Mahasiswa Demokratik Malaysia which was previously rejected by the university.

In a press conference, the Muar MP accused UiTM of blocking its students from attending the dialogue session after it was reported that the university closed one of its dormitories’ gates between 9pm tonight and 6am despite the fasting month of Ramadan.

He also questioned why he was denied entry now that Muda is part of the coalition government when he had faced no problem holding a peaceful dialogue session in the third quarter of last year when the party was part of the opposition.

Earlier today, Mahasiswa Demokratik Malaysia secretary-general Zuren Zulaikha urged UiTM’s management to withdraw instructions to close the university’s main gate, saying that the reason for technical issues with the gate did not make sense.

She said that the action was at odds with the deputy vice chancellor of student affairs’ circular dated March 20 regarding permission for students to buy food for "sahur” during Ramadan whether in the college or outside of it until 2am.

However, at 1pm, the College Representative Committee of the Melati Residential College said that the gates will be open as usual and the technical issues have been successfully resolved.