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| Wednesday, 09 April 2008 | |
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The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned about the punitive action against two university students, Azlan Zainal and Mior Isfandy Mior Azizan, over statements issued on the behalf of the Parti Mahasiswa Negara (PMN) during the 12th general elections in March. The statement resulted in the suspension of Isfandy's student loan and the withholding of his full transcript, pending a disciplinary proceeding and police are investigating Azlan. On January 7, Mior Isfandy, a final year student at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), issued a statement announcing the establishment of the Parti Mahasiswa Negara, a graduates-based political party and announced its intention to field its candidates in the election. Consequently, IIUM withheld Mior Isfandy's full transcript, put his status as under suspension which stopped the payment of his student loan, and instituted a disciplinary proceeding against him on March 4, on the basis that students are not allowed to issue media statement without the Vice-Chancelor's permission. A new date was fixed on April 7, but was again postponed indefinitely by the university without providing a reason. Meanwhile, on March 2, Azlan Zainal, a final year student in University Malaya (UM) organized a student assembly in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan on the platform of the yet to be registered PMN. In a statement issued on that day, the party sought a meeting with the election candidates of Rembau, Khairy Jamaluddin (from Barisan Nasional) and Badrul Hisham Shaharin (from Parti Keadilan Rakyat), to demand the adoption of a youth-oriented agenda, criticizing the administration's lack of democracy and alleging its manipulation of university students for political mileage. Following a police report lodged by the UM student affairs department, police recorded statements from Azlan Zainal as the president of the PMN under the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) and the Penal Code for illegal assembly. The UUCA prohibits students or students group from participating in or expressing support, sympathy or other views for any political party and association unless with permission of the the Vice Chancellor, or risk expulsion. The action against the students is a denial of their rights to freedom of association and expression of political views. University students should not be discriminated from political involvement using the law, which has been criticized for targetting those who publicly voice dissenting views. They have the rights to participate in the election process as the minimum age requirement is 21 under Malaysian laws. We call upon the universities and the police to drop the actions against the students and respect their rights to expression and association. The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all people enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information. Ends Issued by Gayathry Venkiteswaran Executive Director For more information, please contact Wai Fong at 03 40230772 |
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