The Kuala Lumpur High Court has today granted permission for Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim to challenge the university’s three-semester suspension order.

High Court judge (Appellate and Special Powers) division Justice Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim allowed the leave application in his chambers.

NONE Adam Adli ( left ), best known for lowering a banner with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s face at the PWTC during a student protest on Dec 17 last year in calling for academic freedom at higher learning institutions, was ordered to be suspended on March 8.

The student, who is the coordinator of student group Legasi Mahasiswa Progresif in lowering Najib’s banner, had swapped it with a banner that read “liberate academic freedom” in front of the Umno headquarters.

Adam Adli named UPSI’s disciplinary committee and UPSI as respondents.

He was represented by lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri and Afiq M Noor. Senior federal counsel Effendi Nazila Abdullah represented the respondents.

NONE Fadiah ( left in photo ) told reporters that after the court heard submissions, Justice Abang Iskandar found there were merits to the case and it was not frivolous.

In the application, Adam Adli sought to quash the disciplinary committee decision as the punishment is against his constitutional right under Article 10 on freedom of expression.

Furthermore, he was not called to defend himself as he was not given a show-cause letter to appear before the UPSI disciplinary committee.

Fadiah said following the leave application being granted, they will file the necessary documents and the court will fix a hearing date.

In judicial review proceedings, it is a two-tier process as leave or permission had to be gained to ensure the application is not frivolous.

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