It is absolutely shocking and appalling that Universiti Malaya (UM) is considering taking disciplinary action against the six students as reported in Malaysiakini. This is clearly an attempt at intimidation and selective persecution which should be resisted. All members of UM's alumni (including the present staff and students) should strongly express their repugnance and opposition to the action and should call on the UM authorities to immediately withdraw the disciplinary charge, apologize for the bad judgment in initiating the action, and undertake not to engage in similar actions in the future which will only make UM a laughing stock amongst universities in the world.

If UM insists on going ahead with the disciplinary hearing, the hearing should be conducted in public so that all Malaysians will have an opportunity to listen to the proceedings and draw their own conclusions on how justifiable the university action is. They will also have the opportunity to assess the legitimacy of the excessive controls that the Government has imposed on the universities through the Universities and University Colleges Act and other means.

Lastly, it is my hope that the university does in fact conduct the disciplinary hearing. This is so not only because I believe the charges to be totally without merit but also to expose any linkages that may be found in terms of government control, political interests and ethnic bias or discrimination in the way the public universities are managed.
 
Press statement by Dr Lim Teck Ghee
Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives


Malaysiakini reported that Universiti Malaya is considering disciplinary action against six of its students for inviting 'outsiders' to judge a Chinese language debate competition on politics in the country.
 
The news portal said the judges were Seputeh parliamentarian Teresa Kok, MCA central committee member Wong Nai Chee and political commentator Koh Kok Wee, and the students had been asked to attend an inquiry on Monday to determine if action is to be taken against them for violation of rules and regulations of the university.