UM students denied right to representation

Improved ranking does not necessarily entail a more conducive campus life as demonstrated by the country's premier university.

Universiti Malaya threatened disciplinary action against eight of its students on Oct 8 for allegedly breaching rules under the outdated 1971 Universities and University Colleges Act.

Six (below) were called for questioning for inviting several politicians to act as jury for a Chinese language debate on current political issues.

The remaining two were hauled up for inviting Selangor MB's political secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to open UM's Muslim students society's AGM without the university's appoval.

This morning, representatives for two of the eight students were barred from attending the proceedings.

The two were Pro-Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya deputy president Goh Han Koon and director of legal affairs Ang Wei Siong.

Goh, a fourth-year law student, said the Students Affairs department officers relied on the archaic Universities and University Colleges Act although amendmends were made to it this year.

"They are still abiding by the old act. This is unfair," he said.

Lack of professionalism

Under the newly-amended act, "a student of the university shall have the right to be represented by an employee or another student of the university in any disciplinary proceedings taken against him."

Second year bio-medical engineering student Abu Ubaidah Amir Abdul Malek and fourth-year Islamic studies student Muhammad Haafizuddin Abirerah were hauled up for inviting Nik Nazmi on March 16.

Goh argued that the students had invited Nik Nazmi, not in his political capacity, but as a private individual.

UM student affairs legal officer Ambihabathy Ratnam told the students that the proceedings against them will be postponed to a later date.

The Universities and University Colleges Act also states in part that "students of the university may have any affiliation, association or other dealings with any society, organisation, body or group of persons."

Expressing disappointment at the way the Students Affairs department has conducted itself, Muhammad Haafizuddin said that it reflected poorly on their level of professionalism.

A dent in reputation and ranking

"There was no reason for the postponement. This is the second time. Obviously, it was done on purpose," he told reporters.

The six others hauled up were law student Chan Kheng Fai, accounting students Chan Wei De, Koh Ming Cher, actuarial science students SawYee Fung, Ng Xin Ying and economic and administration student Yong Siew Cheng.

They were hauled up for inviting "outsiders" to judge a Chinese language debate competition on Aug 11. All are second year students.

Goh said that the charges against the six were without basis as a letter from UM's Alumni and Students' affairs registrar on Aug 3 clearly states that the Chinese debate this year was "open to members of UM's Chinese language society, UM students and outsiders".

Serdang parliamentarian Teo Nie Ching, who was present today, said UM should be supportive of its students social activities and encourage them to be critical.

"UM's curtailing of students' freedom will damage its reputation and ranking," she said.

Meanwhile, about 25 students gathered at noon to voice their frustrations against the Universities and University Colleges Act.

Last week, the UK's Times Higher Education ranking revealed that UM has returned to the world's top 200 after a two-year absence - climbing 50 spots from last year's 230th to this year's 180th.

Gerakan upset with postponement

In a related development, Gerakan Youth lambasted Universiti Malaya for postponing the hearing for the second time against the students.

Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dominic Lau said the university did not give any reason for the postponement today and "it is totally unfair, especially when the students are currently making preparations for their examination".

"Some students came to KL from Penang, only to be told of the decision. Their valuable time had been wasted," said Lau in a statement.

"If you don't have a valid case against the students, drop the charges completely," said Lau.

The first hearing date, fixed on Oct 12, was postponed to Oct 20.