Who's the boss, asks DAP's Lau

The government’s passing the buck to Attorney General in its appeal to overturn the court verdict on the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 has prompted a DAP leader to question who was in charge.

“Who is the Federal government? Barisan Nasional or the Attorney General’s office?” asked Selangor's Kampung Tunku state assemblyman, Lau Weng San.

Lau said if prime minister Najib Razak was sincere in doing away with oppressive laws, the government should not appeal the decision.

On October 31, the Court of Appeal ruled that that Section 15(5)(a) of the UUCA, which prohibits students from engaging in politics, was unconstitutional and violated freedom of expression.

It also overturned an earlier decision by the High Court which declared the restrictions as constitutional, and allowed universities to take disciplinary action against their students.

The case involved four former students from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, who were arrested for being involved in the Hulu Selangor by-election last year. The students had sought a court declaration that Section 15(5)(a) was unconstitutional.

Lau meanwhile reminded BN to abide by the concept of separation of power and freedom of the judiciary.

He added that the judges had made it clear that Section 15(5)(a) of the UUCA was no longer suitable, and as such the government should not try to overturn the ruling.

Harakahdaily