National Union of Malaysian Students (NUMS) or Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar-pelajar Malaysia (PKPM) is the representative National Student Organisation in Malaysia. Its membership is made up of the Students' Union from institutions of higher learning from all over Malaysia, and thus brings together the vast majority of the students of Malaysia into one unified organisation. It has existed since 19
58 when it was known as the National Union of Federation Students (NUFS) or Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar-pelajar Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (PKPTM). In 1964, in response to the formation of Malaysia it changed its name to NUMS/PKPM. The NUMS/PKPM is a highly significant pressure group in our developing democracy. It is committed to promoting the welfare of students, and to defending student rights, academic freedom, university autonomy and campus democracy. The NUMS/PKPM is by its Constitution an independent and non-partisan organisation. However this does not mean that it has no right to comment on national and international affairs. Nationally it has been vocal in protesting against the violations of fundamental principles and internationally it subscribed to the stand of "a Free University in a Free Society" and upholds fundamental human rights in the face of all forms of oppression and injustice.
