ISA 7' case: Decision put off, students frustrated
Beh Lih YiPublished: Dec 16, 2004 9:39 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
The Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court today put off to next year its decision against seven suspended university students who were charged with illegal assembly in 2001.
The Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court today put off to next year its decision against seven suspended university students who were charged with illegal assembly in 2001.
The decision visibly disappointed some 50 students who had gathered outside the courthouse calling for the acquittal of the seven, popularly known as the 'ISA 7'.
They are accused of participating in an anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) demonstration outside the National Mosque on June 8, 2001. They have since been banned from attending classes by the campus authorities.
Magistrate Normazaida Ahmad Narihan told the packed courtroom this morning that the "decision is not ready yet"and fixed Feb 16 to decide whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the seven students.
Speaking on behalf of the group, one of the accused Rafzan Ramli expressed his frustration on the postponement.
"I am surprised with this postponement because we were hoping that this case could be settled as soon as possible as it has dragged on for so long," he told malaysiakini outside the courtroom.
The 'ISA 7' hearing began in July last year after the matter was postponed on eight previous occasions.
"All of us are awaiting for the court decision so that we could be reinstated to our university or college. Justice delayed is justice denied," he stressed.
Working, studying part-time
Apart from Rafzan, the other six are Helman Sanuddin, Wan Sanusi Wan Mohd Noor, Khairul Amal Mahmud, Nik Noorhafizi Nik Ibrahim, Ahmad Kamal Abdul Hamid and Zulkefle Idris.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charge, which provides for a maximum punishment of two years' imprisonment, RM10,000 fine or both, if found guilty.
Previously, the seven - from four local varsities - had appealed to the education ministry but then education minister Musa Mohamed said they could only be reinstated if they apologised.
Most of them are now working in the private sector or pursuing part-time studies in private colleges.
Nurul Izzah Anwar, who showed up together with her sister Nurul Nuha, said justice must prevail.
"I am disappointed the decision has been postponed. I hope the court will uphold a fair trial," Nurul Izzah, the eldest daughter of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim told reporters outside the court.
'Dark year' for students
Earlier, some 50 students from various local universities marched from Jalan Masjid India to the court building. They gathered for about 30 minutes with placards that read, 'Free ISA 7', 'Abolish UUCA (Universities and University Colleges Act)' and 'Reclaim student rights'.
They also described 2004 as the 'dark year' for university students as more than 50 students have been punished under the repressive UUCA this year.
The crowd gathered in front of the court building for short speeches and recited prayers for the seven students before proceeding to the hearing.
Among those who addressed the crowd was former student leader Syahrir Mahmood who had been arrested during a demonstration participated by 300 students last year to support the ISA 7.
The decision visibly disappointed some 50 students who had gathered outside the courthouse calling for the acquittal of the seven, popularly known as the 'ISA 7'.
They are accused of participating in an anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) demonstration outside the National Mosque on June 8, 2001. They have since been banned from attending classes by the campus authorities. Magistrate Normazaida Ahmad Narihan told the packed courtroom this morning that the "decision is not ready yet"and fixed Feb 16 to decide whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the seven students.
Speaking on behalf of the group, one of the accused Rafzan Ramli expressed his frustration on the postponement.
"I am surprised with this postponement because we were hoping that this case could be settled as soon as possible as it has dragged on for so long," he told malaysiakini outside the courtroom.
The 'ISA 7' hearing began in July last year after the matter was postponed on eight previous occasions.
"All of us are awaiting for the court decision so that we could be reinstated to our university or college. Justice delayed is justice denied," he stressed.
Working, studying part-time
Apart from Rafzan, the other six are Helman Sanuddin, Wan Sanusi Wan Mohd Noor, Khairul Amal Mahmud, Nik Noorhafizi Nik Ibrahim, Ahmad Kamal Abdul Hamid and Zulkefle Idris. They have pleaded not guilty to the charge, which provides for a maximum punishment of two years' imprisonment, RM10,000 fine or both, if found guilty.
Previously, the seven - from four local varsities - had appealed to the education ministry but then education minister Musa Mohamed said they could only be reinstated if they apologised.
Most of them are now working in the private sector or pursuing part-time studies in private colleges.
Nurul Izzah Anwar, who showed up together with her sister Nurul Nuha, said justice must prevail.
"I am disappointed the decision has been postponed. I hope the court will uphold a fair trial," Nurul Izzah, the eldest daughter of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim told reporters outside the court.
'Dark year' for students
Earlier, some 50 students from various local universities marched from Jalan Masjid India to the court building. They gathered for about 30 minutes with placards that read, 'Free ISA 7', 'Abolish UUCA (Universities and University Colleges Act)' and 'Reclaim student rights'.
They also described 2004 as the 'dark year' for university students as more than 50 students have been punished under the repressive UUCA this year. The crowd gathered in front of the court building for short speeches and recited prayers for the seven students before proceeding to the hearing.
Among those who addressed the crowd was former student leader Syahrir Mahmood who had been arrested during a demonstration participated by 300 students last year to support the ISA 7.
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