UM student remanded four days without reason, say student activists

By Syed Mu’az Syed Putra

January 07, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 — A Universiti Malaya (UM) student has been remanded for four days for allegedly refusing to cooperate when being frisked by police. 

The Malaysian Insiderunderstands the student, Bukhairi Sufian, 21, was approached by police at the UM main entrance yesterday before he was frisked and brought to the Pantai police station for unknown reasons. 

According to Gerakan Menuntut Kebebasan Akademik (Bebas) chairman Mohd Safwan Anang (picture), the Islamic political science student was remanded for four days since yesterday. 

“From what I know, he was detained for refusing to cooperate when the police were trying to frisk him and he was brought to the station since last night. 

“We have tried to contact the investigating officer for more information but until now, to no avail... It is unclear the reason why he was detained,” said the youth, who is currently at the Pantai station. 

Mohd Safwan added that Bukhairi was alone at the time he was approached by the police. 

“I do not know how many officers were there but at the time, Bukhairi was alone. 

“I also understand that Bukhairi’s family is still yet to be informed of this, apart from knowing he has to face an exam next Tuesday,” he said. 

Bukhairi’s lawyer was also at the police station this evening to obtain the student’s release. 

Student activists recently clashed with police in a demonstration at Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjung Malim. 

Safwan was hospitalised after allegedly being assaulted by the police who tried to disperse the New Year’s Eve gathering. The demonstration was held following widespread controversy over the lowering of a banner bearing the likeness of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by Adam Adli Abd Halim, a 21-year UPSI student, outside Umno’s headquarters here last month. 

The police have denied assaulting the activists during the demonstration, saying there was “no scuffle” when arrests were made during their attempt to break the gathering which saw 17 students arrested. 

Other students and opposition politicians have also claimed that several students involved in the demonstration for academic freedom were allegedly beaten up and arrested after refusing to heed a police order to disperse.