Four University of Malaya (UM) students from the ‘anti-establishment’ faction have been warned by university authorities not to participate in future political gatherings, failing which they would have to face sterner action.

Three of them were found guilty by a university tribunal this week for attending a gathering of Parti Mahasiswa Negara (PMN) in front of the Election Commission office in Putrajaya on Jan 7 this year to apply for legal recognition.

The fourth one was found guilty of punching a boy and a girl during the campus election in September last year.

The four students who faced the music were Dzulkhairi Mohd Nor, Sheikh Omar Ali, Mohd Azlan Zainal and Ahmad Shahir Bin Mohd Shah. Proceedings were held at the student affairs building in UM on Feb 12-13.

The four are also members of the yet-to-be-registered PMN.

Image tarnished

University authorities claimed that the action of the four students have tarnished the university’s image. No stern penalties were imposed on them however due to the absence of concrete evidence.

Malaysian students are barred from participating in political activities under the University and Universities Colleges Act (UUCA). Many students however felt that the law violates their rights of participation..

One of the students, Azlan said it was unfair for him to receive the warning as the gathering was not a demonstration but simply to register the PMN.

"I told the panel that the gathering was not illegal. It went on for nearly an hour and wasn't dispersed by the police. Was that illegal?" said Azlan after the proceeding.

The panel however disagreed and showed him a picture of his attendance at the gathering. Azlan acknowledged it was him.

"I was just there to read a declaration of PMN, the content only stressed that university students should be independent, not favouring any political party and should become the check-and-balance between the government and opposition."

"I didn't even mention the name of UM, was there any disrepute?" he argued, reiterating that his action did not tarnish the university’s name.

Another student, PMN spokesperson Sheikh Omar Ali, attended the proceeding on the same day as Azlan but requested that it be postponed to seek help from his lawyer.

Students found guilty of offences under UUCA could either received a warning or fine of not more than RM 200 with the heaviest penalty being expulsion from the university..