I refer to Education Minister Musa Mohamed's statement that he would consider reinstating the seven suspended students in their university education if they were to beg for his sympathy and forgiveness.

What is going on? Is Malaysia an advance developing country striving for first-class infrastructure and mentality? Is Malaysia built upon parliamentary democracy with democratic principles and a working constitution?

Or is the country run by oversized and egoistic officials who view themselves as feudal lords and masters in their little fiefdom, where others are treated to serf, convenient at their disposal to abuse and denigrate?

What happened to justice, due process, rule of law, natural justice and sense of fair play? Does the minister hold such blanket and arbitrary power to be able to decide the students' fate and future at his whim and fancy?

These seven students have nothing to apologise. They instead should be proud and hold their heads high as they have strove for the betterment of human rights and society. Their actions in demonstrating against the ISA is nothing more than the exercise of their civil and political rights as affirmed by the federal constitution and numerous other international instruments on a persons rights to free speech, assembly and association.

This is what democracy is all about - unless the education minister is of the view that he is the feudal lord and master over the lives of these students.