An exhibition organised by the Abolish Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) Movement (GMA) at a public space last Thursday was disrupted by Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) officers, who confiscated the PA system and several display boards.

Witnesses claimed that some 20 officers approached the organising students at a parking lot opposite the main Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) campus entrance in Minden at 1 pm, before taking away exhibition materials.

Also present were two police officers and at least five USM officials, students said. "We were holding a peaceful exhibition outside university property, but we didn't expect this," said GMA exhibition co-ordinator Soh Sook Hua, who is a student at USM.

GMA consists of 54 non governmental organisations and student groups nationwide. The exhibition was part of a road show expected to be held throughout Peninsular Malaysia.

Ten students were manning the exhibition booths at parking lot number 20 and 22 when officers from MPPP's enforcement unit arrived. After a brief conversation, the officers who were accompanied by the police proceeded to dismantle exhibition material in parking lot 22.

"They took away our sound system, a notice board, everything that was in that section of the lot. They even took away our plastic chairs," said Soh, who said that GMA had gone through the proper procedures in applying for an exhibition in a public space.

Several other students, who did not wish to be named, said that officers had told them that GMA officially booked parking lot 18 and 20. Students said that parking lot 18 was filled to capacity with cars at the time.

Minister also at USM

"It was never indicated on the permit which lots were to be used. We have no problem moving, but the parking lot that I rented was filled with cars. The problem is when I was discussing with officers, while we were still in conversation (one of the officers) ordered his people to take away our things," said Soh, who is a member of the Malaysia Youth and Student Democratic Movement (Dema), which is led by the 'anti-establishment' Students Progressive Front (SPF).

The exhibition was calling out for the abolishment of the UUCA.

Incidentally, the incident occurred on the same day the Higher Education Minister Mustapa Mohamed was scheduled to grace a buka puasa function at USM.

The MPPP enforcement unit and USM Vice-Chancellor's office could not be reached for comment.

The GMA movement has described the UUCA as restricting student freedom in participating in activism and debate, and has compared the legislation to the Internal Security Act. The UUCA was first enacted in 1971 to curb the growing student movement.

The UUCA was last actively used in 1998 the curb the 'reformasi' movement from spilling into campus politics. From 1999 to 2004 however, anti-establishment camps took control of student representative councils in universities nationwide. Since 2003, university authorities have enacted stricter rules resulting in repeated clean sweep victories for the pro-government camp.