We of the Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) wish to express our grave concern over the fate of Soh Sook Hwa , a final-year student at Universiti Sains Malaysia, who has been called up by the university's disciplinary board to explain her campaign activities for the opposition in the March 2004 general election.

Being a group of columnists and writers who believe in freedom of expression, Wami maintains that each and every rightful citizen of Malaysia is entitled to express his or her political views without fear or favour in a peaceful manner, which is guaranteed under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966).

Soh has done no wrong in offering her help during the general election earlier this year, especially since she is a legally registered voter under the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

Wami is of the view that the high-handedness of the university has infringed upon the fundamental liberties of Soh as a student and a citizen of Malaysia, as well as tarnishing the reputation of the university as a venue for academic freedom and intellectual pursuit.

We urge the university to respect the right of all students to express their own opinions and to drop all the charges against Soh and to call off the disciplinary hearing against her immediately.

Although Wami is aware of the fact that Soh's action has contravened Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act, popularly known as Auku by its Malay acronym, we nevertheless hold that Auku itself is an outdated legislation and ill-suited for a country aspiring to be a knowledge-based society.

It is high time that Auku, which severely restricts students' freedom of thought and inhibits their creative spirits, be repealed - and sooner rather than later.