It’s time University Malaya VC breaks silence on Azmi

University Malaya vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin should declare his position immediately and stand together with Azmi Sharom, say Dema.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Youth and Students’ Democratic Movement (Dema) is disappointed with University of Malaya’s vice-chancellor Mohd Amin Jalaludin for not speaking up for academic freedom and defending law professor Azmi Sharom who is charged with sedition.

Its National Affairs secretary, Lau Yi Leong, said it had been three days since Azmi Sharom had been charged under the Sedition Act and Mohd Amin had been silent on the matter.

“While the students and the public are actively campaigning for academic freedom, vice- chancellor’s office has been quiet,” he said.

He added that under Section 9 of the university’s constitution, the vice-chancellor was the chief executive officer responsible for academic functions.

“Being also the varsity’s senate chairman, Mohd Amin is also responsible for the protection of academic freedom in the university, as per Section 17(2A)(h) of the Constitution,” said Lau.

He said the vice-chancellor’s inaction had cast doubt on his ability to defend the principle of academic freedom and secure students’ right to unbiased education.

He said the vice-chancellor should declare his position immediately and stand together with Azmi Sharom by demanding the attorney-general’s office to drop all charges against the law professor.