Last Wednesday, the deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) (student affairs) of University Putra Malaysia Dr Azali Mohamed had called a meeting with all mass communication trainees.

I understand from a report on Chinese online news portal Merdekareview.com that the DVC's speech was to 'teach' the students who had disclosed the UPM fracas to the media.

The DVC was quoted as saying: "I don't want to pinpoint, but I know who did it (the UPM trainee who works for Merdeka Review ). Siapa makan cili, dia yang rasa pedasnya ."

The purpose of the meeting was to warn and threaten the trainees not to use the opportunity of industrial training to ruin the good name of UPM. According to the report, Azali had said: "We will think of some rules so that we can take action against the students who had broken the university's rules. Maybe we will expel the students from the campus or disqualify the practical (training)."

If his statement was not a threat, excuse me for unable to read it otherwise. Azali also had said: "You are still subjected to the campus authority."

This was shocking for the statement to come from a DVC of the university that should be grooming our future leaders. We need a capable leader with integrity. But the DVC had conveyed the wrong message that students are not allowed to be a person with integrity by warning them not to tell the truth.

Azali was quoted as saying that "the university is a place for smart students, for the one who know how to follow the rules".

Isn't it worrying that the DVC did not even allow students to think critically but have to be obedient to the authorities?

University students should stand for their rights and be able to differentiate between black and white. I feel very sorry that the education system today does not encourage students to think critically and creatively.

I also feel sad and disappointed that UPM tried to sweep everything under carpet. The attackers in the scuffle had been let off scot-free. So do not blame our students for thinking that when they make mistakes, they need not take any responsibility.

I have found an online petition to protest the shameful action of UPM in handling the whole episode. We should all support the petition for justice and truth to be upheld.