Student groups want disciplinary proceedings against 2 undergrads dropped

KUALA LUMPUR: Three student groups have called on Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to drop disciplinary proceedings against two student activists over their involvement in a protest in Kudat and a planned anti-graft rally in the state.

Sekretariat Mansuh Auku, Suara Siswa Universiti Malaya, and the Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) said undergrads should not face disciplinary action for speaking up on issues of national interest.

UMS students Fidaa’ Ahmad Fahmi and Abdul Qayyum Ilham Zulizrul took part in a protest on May 19 in solidarity with Kampung Asaon residents, whose homes were demolished.

They were also said to be involved in organising Gempur Rasuah Sabah 3.0, an anti-corruption rally scheduled for July 4 and 5.

According to the student groups, Fidaa’ and Qayyum received disciplinary notices from UMS on June 8, with proceedings initially fixed for July 9 before being rescheduled to July 21.

“They were subjected to disciplinary proceedings all because they talked about national issues,” said Dayang Humaira, president of Suara Siswa Universiti Malaya.

Dayang was among 15 representatives from the three student groups and rights NGO Suaram who submitted a memorandum to a representative of deputy higher education minister Adam Adli earlier today.

The activists are also demanding that the university provide a written guarantee that students will not be punished, while calling for the abolition of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, known as Auku, in the same memorandum.

In January, higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said the government had no intention of repealing the Act in full, and that it remained the main legal framework governing public universities.

He said targeted amendments were more practical than outright abolishing the law.