UM4 suspension lifted after appeal

Four Universiti Malaya (UM) student activists, popularly known as the UM4, have successfully appealed against their suspension by the university in December last year, for their involvement in the TangkapMO1 rally.

Anis Syafiqah Md Yusof, Muhammad Luqman Nul Haqim Zul Razali, Suhail Wan Azahar and Muhammad Luqman Hakim Mohd Fazli had their suspensions lifted, though all four are still found guilty of tarnishing the university's image.

The decision was handed down today by the UM Disciplinary Appeal Tribunal which sat to review their appeal on Feb 6.

The panel was comprised of UM board of director member Ar Saifuddin Ahmad, as well as academicians Norma Mansor and Goh Kim Leng from the Faculty of Economics and Administration.

All four student activists were represented by final year law student Marcus Lee, who also sits on the student council, in the hearing which lasted for about three hours.

"They managed to convinced the tribunal to reverse the decision of the previous disciplinary panel to suspend the students from studies for one semester.

"Meaning, the students including Anis Syafiqah now are able to resume studies in the new semester commencing on Feb 13.

"However, the tribunal still finds the students guilty and they all received stern warning and fine," Lee told Malaysiakini.

Anis Syafiqah hailed the decision as a victory for freedom of expression.

"It may be a small victory, but it is very meaningful and significant for justice and the freedom of expression," she said in a Facebook posting, thanking all who have stood by and supported them in their fight.

Anis Syafiqah and the UM4 student leaders were fined and suspended in December last year over their involvement in the TangkapMO1 rally in August 2016.

The rally called for the arrest of "Malaysian Official 1" or MO1, mentioned but not named in the US Department of Justice's forfeiture filing to seize assets allegedly bought with stolen 1MDB money.

Federal minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan later said that it was obvious that MO1 was Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, but insists that he was not named as the crimes purported does not involve him.

Najib has also been cleared of all wrongdoing in the 1MDB matter by attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali.- Mkini