Suaram: Action against UM 4 over TangkapMO1 rally is 'intimidation'

Universiti Malaya has been accused of intimidating its students by subjecting four students to disciplinary hearings over the TangkapMO1 in October.

In a statement today, human rights watchdog Suaram said censuring students for protesting not only violates their human rights but also stunts intellectual development.

"Suaram condemns UM's action in attempting to punish four students under the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA).

"This act, through a higher education institution, is an intimidation tactic by the government," said Suaram executive director D Sevan.

The four students are Anis Syafiqah Mohd Yusof, Suhail Wan Azahar, Muhammad Luqman Hakim Mohd Fazli and Mohamed Luqman Nul Hakim Nul Razali.

The hearing would be held tomorrow. The notice to attend the hearing said that the students could be fined, suspended or expelled.

The four were accused of having a role in the TangkapMO1 rally. It was organised shortly after the US Department of Justice (DOJ) made a 136-page filing in its investigation into 1MDB.

The filing concluded that at least US$3.5 billion was misappropriated from state-owned 1MDB and laundered through the US financial system.

It also found that part of this party went to an unnamed official it described as "Malaysian Official 1" (MO1).

Sevan urged UM to reconsider its action against the students, stressing that the freedom to assemble peacefully is protected under the Federal Constitution and Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

"Suaram urged UM to drop all charges against the four students. Suaram also supports the calls by students groups to abolish the UUCA," he said.- Mkini