Opposition leaders today voiced support for a final-year Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) student accused of breaching a law by being involved in campaigning during the general election in March.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub and DAP Youth vice-chairperson Chong Chieng Jen added their signatures to a petition to support the 22-year-old student, Soh Sook Hwa.

Their action was witnessed by a delegation of 20 university students who turned up at the Parliament House lobby this morning to highlight Soh's case. DAP's Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan, who had signed the petition earlier, was also present.

The three opposition politicians called for the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) - which bars students from being affiliated to any political party - to be abolished and urged USM to drop the charge against Soh.

Chong said the government should allow for more youth participation in politics as it had in the past decried their lack of interest in politics.

"UUCA runs contradictory to the goal of wanting to encourage youth awareness in politics," he told a press conference.

Salahuddin reiterated that the UUCA should be reviewed to study its relevance to society today.

Wan Azizah said that to punish a student who shows an interest in politics is a step backwards.

"It will be a black spot on this new government which has been perceived as more open," she said.

Signature campaign

The student delegation was led by a coalition known as Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia or Malaysian Undergraduates Solidarity (SMM).

SMM spokesperson Naim Jusri said the coalition has collected about 500 signatures to date for the campaign to support Soh. The signatures are expected to be handed over to the USM authorities.

Soh, a final year journalism student and a former student representative, has been charged with breaching Section 15 of the UUCA and 'tarnishing the university's image'.

She is to face disciplinary proceedings chaired by USM deputy vice-chancellor Jamaluddin Mohaiadin on Wednesday. She could face expulsion if found guilty. Soh is also president of USM's Chinese Language Society.

Student bodies in various varsities and youth organisations have issued media statements to support Soh and to call upon USM to drop the charges against her.

No intervention

Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Dr Shafie Salleh was quoted in the press today as saying that students are prohibited from engaging in political activities and this rule was clearly stated in the UUCA.

He said if any party was of the opinion that this clause encroached on fundamental liberties as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, they could take the matter to court to seek clarification.

On Soh's case, Shafie reportedly said that he would not intervene as each university has its own disciplinary board.

Over the years, the UUCA, enacted in 1971, has been invoked against several varsity students for their off-campus activities.

In 2001, seven students from different institutions of higher education were suspended for participating in an anti-ISA demonstration .

The same year, USM suspended three students for taking part in a demonstration against the 'Vision School' concept and for participating in a debate without university permission.