A student coalition made an 'old' appeal to the government today - abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) to enable undergraduates access to a free learning platform away from "intimidation" of any kind from authority.

"We are very disappointed that the university authorities have repeatedly abuse the act to suppress students. Repealing the act is the only way to give a breath of fresh air in local universities," said Students Abolish ISA Movement (GMMI) spokesperson Syahrir Mahmood.

Syahrir was speaking to malaysiakini in conjunction with the 'student rights day' today, June 8. The day is to commemorate the arrest of seven students who took part in an anti-ISA demonstration in front of the National Mosque in 2001.

Rights denied

Following that, the seven were suspended by their respective universities for breaching the UCCA which bars students from participating in any form of assembly without the permission of the vice-chancellor.

They were Rafzan Ramli, Helman Sanudin, Khairul Amal Mahmood, Ahmad, Kamal Abdul Hamid, Wan Sanusi Wan Mohd Noor, Nik Noorhafizi Nik Ismail and Zulkifli Idris.

"Their rights to continue their studies were denied. This is blatant intimidation by the government to prevent students from participating in a democratic process," Syahrir said.

He added that the day is also a symbolic one because the suppression against students intensified after the arrest. He cited the arrest of two other student leaders under the Internal Security Act (ISA) as example.

The theme for this year's celebration is 'bring back education rights' and GMMI hopes that undergraduates will be given an adequate space to practise democratic values.

"Education is an essential requirement to achieve democracy. If education here is only perceived as a requirement for career, then it is a sign of failure on our education system to cultivate graduates who are able to think with a critical mind," the student leader said.

"Our students are also entitled to basic civil rights such as rights for expression, assembly and association," Syahrir stressed.

Asked on how GMMI will boost the anti-UUCA campaign, Syahrir said the coalition will distribute posters and disseminate the message to new students in view of the orientation period at local universities now.

Last year, the coalition published a report on supression cases against undergraduates from 1998 to 2002.

GMMI is a coalition of ten multi-racial student groups and is a member of the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) which was set up two years ago to lobby for the repeal of the ISA after the government detained six reformasi activists.