Kedah MB draws more flak over suspension of students

The Kedah government’s insistence on not withdrawing the suspension of five Kolej Universiti Insaniah (Kuin) students has drawn flak from a Pakatan Rakyat counterpart in Penang.

Penang DAP Socialist Youth treasurer Steven Sim (right) said the problem could be resolved through discussions between the relevant parties.

Sim added that this was a good opportunity for Pakatan Rakyat to prove that its mechanism for solving issues are far better and more effective, especially in the conflict between the students and the university administration.

He called for the immediate lifting of the suspension of the five students, who were punished in June, last year, under Act 555 and Act 174, laws similar to the UUCA but tailored for private higher learning institutions.

They were charged for protesting against the administration’s takeover of a building, which houses their hostel and prayer hall, to be converted into a school.

Sim, who is a Seberang Jaya municipal councillor, said the Pakatan coalition are supposed to uphold the policies collectively agreed to in the Buku Jingga (Orange Book).

Buku Jingga is Pakatan’s most tangible policy document yet, which was launched during the coalition’s national convention in Kepala Batas on Dec 19, 2010.

Sim said Pakatan arrived at the policies through discussion, based on the aspirations of Malaysians who have lived for more than 50 years under the “abuse of power” of the Umno-Barisan Nasional administration.

These policies, he reminded, included abolishing cruel laws such as 1960 Internal Security Act and the 1971 Universities and University Colleges Act.

“These policies are not empty words but are principles of the Pakatan partners, including PAS,” said Sim in a statement today.

“Opposing these unfair laws are consistent with the struggle of the three coalition partners all this while,” added the Seberang Jaya municipal councillor.

Despite the criticisms from various quarters and calls for his resignation, Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak (left) has defended the suspension, saying it was according to law.

He had reportedly played down the importance of the Buku Jingga, saying it was not the Quran and does not need to be followed entirely.

On Sunday, he said he was willing to be sacked for backing the UUCA, which puts him at odds with Pakatan’s struggle to see such “oppressive” laws abolished.


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