Dr Chandra Muzaffar's success in getting an order from the High Court to quash the decision of Universiti Malaya in refusing to renew his contract is very welcomed indeed. It gives renewed hope for the academia to speak out without fear of unfairness in disciplinary action or unfair sacking.

I sincerely hope that the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) would put in greater effort in looking into the discipline of students under the Universities and University Colleges Act. Students are not in a financial position to apply for orders in the High Court to quash an administrative decision by the university or to compel the administration to do something.

In this regard, Suhakam has a crucial role to ensure through its initiated dialogue with the vice-chancellors that due process has been met. I would suggest that Suhakam begin proper investigation of cases on appeal to the Education Ministry that has never been processed or cases returned to university administration on grounds of improper procedures. These delays thwart the right of students to go by way of a High Court writ to review the university decisions.

Decision by universities are often said to be tainted by political affiliations of the universities with the government. If Suhakam is unable to deal with the politics of the decision-making process, then it must at least immediately check the appeal processes to ensure that students have a real opportunity to take a High Court writ to review university decisions.

If this happens, I would request that the Bar Council set up a team of lawyers to represent students pro bono.

Perhaps all students now and in the past who have not heard of their appeals after filing to the Education Ministry should approach student groups or Suhakam for the time being in order that some proper investigation be carried out. The information could even be used in parliament for the education minister to answer.

These efforts should help strengthen university solidarity against unwarranted encroachments by power politics on the autonomy and independence of the academia and students.