UM hauls up student leader behind Anwar rally

Fahmi Zainol, president of the Universiti Malaya Undergraduates' Association, faces a disciplinary hearing at the university next Friday. – The Malaysian Insider pic, October 31, 2014.Universiti Malaya has initiated disciplinary proceedings against student leader Fahmi Zainol for holding a rally with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday.

Fahmi today said the letter stated he faced nine charges under the Universities and University Colleges Act.

"I received nine charges while eight other students who were with me also received letters from the UM management. However, the charges are different," Fahmi told The Malaysian Insider.

He said he and eight others have been instructed to attend an inquiry board meeting on Friday.

Fahmi, who is the president of Universiti Malaya Undergraduates' Association, told The Malaysian Insider that he faced the possibility of being expelled from the university.

He said the ‎board will decide if they have violated the university act and disciplinary action will be taken if they are found guilty of the charges.

Despite a shutdown by UM, hundreds on Monday forced their way through the university's main gates, allowing Anwar to enter his alma mater and address a crowd of about 2,000.

The event, “40 years: from UM to prison”, was declared illegal by UM deputy vice-chancellor of student affairs Professor Datuk Dr Rohana Yusof, as it would “damage the image” of the university.

Since the day of the gathering, Fahmi has been the target of much attention. He was among hundreds who stormed the university's main gates to allow Anwar to enter his alma mater and address the crowd.

The Public Service Department scholarship student said he was ready to face the consequences of his actions and hoped to finish his studies.

Yesterday, a gathering featuring Fahmi at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) was cut short by the university's authorities, which said it was an illegal assembly.

UKM student body Gabungan Mahasiswa alleged that each speaker at the Reformasi Perjuangan Mahasiswa event were only given two minutes to address the 300-odd crowd at the university's speaker's corner.

It said the university had even issued a letter warning students against attending the gathering as it was not registered with the institution of higher learning.

"Such an attitude is a reflection of the lack of maturity among the university's administration in preventing undergraduates from voicing their views.

"The university administration is also being arrogant and afraid of the rising spirit of UKM students when they moved in to prevent Fahmi from giving his speech."

- TMI