Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has begun its investigation into the complaints of 20 Universiti Teknologi Malaysia students against their university authorities for alleged mismanagement during their campus elections two months ago.

"We had our meeting today. The working group on inquiries have reported to us that it has received the complaint and is in the process of inquiring," Suhakam chairperson Musa Hitam said today.

He explained that "inquiring" could be at the level of writing to seek explanation from those concerned or getting them to meet Suhakam.

"[We are now at] the stage of writing to the authorities concerned," he added.

Musa, who is also a former deputy prime minister, was speaking to reporters after attending Suhakam's Hari Raya Aidil Fitri open house at the commission's office in Kuala Lumpur today.

Two weeks ago, UTM authorities issued 15 show-cause letters to the students who protested against the alleged mismanagement of the students representative council elections last November.

The students claimed that the ballot boxes were tampered with and criteria for candidates were adjusted at the last minute to favour certain nominees.

Last Nov 30, about 400 students gathered in front of the UTM administrative building and handed over a protest memorandum to vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohamad Zulkifli Mohamad Ghazali.

However, their demand to hold a dialogue with the university authorities on this matter was rejected.

Former students council president Mohd Musriff Abdullah and ex-council member Ng Tee Neng were later issued a show-cause letter each for speaking to the press on this issue. On Dec 13, about 20 UTM students brought their plight to Suhakam.

Following this, UTM issued the 15 show-cause letters to the students; five were given to those who attended the meeting with Suhakam.

According to commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan, UTM's action could be construed as "slapping the parliament in the face" as the commission is set up by an act of parliament.

He said Suhakam had faxed a letter to UTM on the matter.

Internal matter

However, The Star reported yesterday that the university has clarified that the show-cause letters issued to the students have nothing to do with their action of submitting a memorandum to Suhakam.

It reported Mohd Zulkifli as saying that the letters were issued to check if the students had contravened the rules set out in the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971.

The vice-chancellor said UTM has high respect for Suhakam in upholding human rights matters and hope the internal matter will not be blown out of proportion as if it is a UTM versus Suhakam scenario.

All 15 students have replied to the show-cause letters.

The UUCA is a legislation which regulates all student activities. Under this act where UTM is concerned, even the gathering of more than five students in the university compound requires the permission of the vice-chancellor.