We refer to the Malaysiakini report UM debate: 6 hauled up for inviting 'outsiders' as judges .

Regarding this, Saw Yee Fung, Chan Kheng Fai, Ng Xin Ying, Koh Ming Cherh, Chan Wei De and Yong Siew Cheng, the president of Universiti Malaya Chinese Language Association (PBCUM) and the members of debate committee have been charged under the 1979 Student Body’s Act.

PBCUM recently organised a debate on politics in Malaysia. We invited Seputeh parliamentarian Teresa Kok, MCA central committee member Wong Nai Chee and political commentator Koh Kok Wee to judge the debate.

However, the above six students were charged for bringing in ‘outsiders’ to this event. According to UM Student Conduct Committee chairperson, Prof Faisal Ali, no ‘outsider’ is allowed to attend any student activity.

I hope that the professor will seriously think about the consequences incurred if disciplinary action is taken towards them.

1. Outsiders attend the events at Universiti Malaya if it is for academic purposes. To date, we have invited many ministers, politicians and well-known personalities to our various events in the past.

It surely will create huge problems in the future if university decides that we cannot invite outsiders. Which means all the events in UM can only be attended by staff and students only? In that case, even our prime minister would technically not be allowed to attend our activities.

2. The aim of the debate was to promote clean and healthy competition amongst the teams. We achieved that goal and the event attracted many students from the other universities. Many debaters praised our initiative and boldness to organise such a debate.

We believe it is necessary that students take an interest in politics - not to join or side with any political party, but to be responsible and well-imformed citizens of this country.

3. There was no any hidden agenda behind this debate as the three people invited were from different political parties. It was a good, safe and healthy platform for discussion and debate. We should be proud of them.

4. UM’s Student Affairs Division called the six on the morning of Sept 8. The committee went forward to explain that the main reason for inviting the judges was that they were former debaters and they are experienced debate judges as well as seasoned politicians.

After taking into consideration the explanation, we were allowed to go on with the event. Why suddenly are they being charged after verbal permission had been obtained?

5. If disciplinary action is taken against them, it will spoil the image of the university. Being in a university should not meant that students are banned from any sort out discussion about politics.

The best student in would be one that is not just be a bookworm but one who is concerned about issues around him/her.

The writer is deputy vice-president, Undergraduates’ Representative Council 2008/2009 Universiti Malaya .