Seven university students were denied the right to continue their studies following a protracted court case over an illegal assembly two years ago.

The students, from four local universities, have been suspended over their involvement in the court case.

One of them would have completed his studies if not for the suspension.

Their case will be heard at the Kuala Lumpur magistrates' court on July 14, after it had been postponed eight times for various reasons.

"While waiting for their cases to conclude, these students have now lost the opportunity to pursue their studies. Of the seven, two have decided to continue their education in private institutions while others are still looking for work," said former student leader Syahrir Mahmood.

Syahrir is well aware of the plight of the seven as he was directly involved in fighting for their cause in his capacity as the spokesperson for the Students Abolish ISA Movement (GMMI).

One night in lock-up

Their sad story started on June 8, 2001 when they joined 500 other students from various universities opposite the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur to protest against the Internal Security Act and the detention of six reformasi activists under the act.

The students gathered in the compound outside the mosque after Friday prayers, waving banners and shouting slogans against the draconian ISA.

Twenty minutes later, the police moved in to disperse the crowds and in the process arrested the seven students for illegal assembly and failing to disperse.

The seven - Rafzan Ramli, Helman Sanudin, Khairul Amal Mahmud, Ahmad Kamal Abdul Hamid, Wan Sanusi Wan Mohd Noor, Nik Noorhafizi Nik Ismail and Zulkefle Idris - were then held overnight at the Jalan Tun HS Lee police station. They were all actively involved in student movements in their universities.

They were released the next morning, with instructions to report to the station later in the month. After three such visits to the station, the seven students were finally charged with illegal assembly on July 19, 2001.

In between, one of them, electrical engineering student Rafzan Ramli from Universiti Teknologi Mara was suspended from the university over his arrest. However, following much pressure from various quarters, his suspension was revoked .

Suspension orders

Nevertheless, following the court appearance, disciplinary actions were taken against all the seven students by their respective universities, resulting in suspension for all. They were found guilty of breaching the Universities and University Colleges Act for being charged in the court of law.

To highlight their plight, the students had met Malaysian Human Right Commissioners on four occasions.

"However nothing positive ever came from these meetings," Rafzan told malaysiakini . Rafzan's appeal to the Education Ministry over his suspension in still pending.

Rafzan said that their future was bleak as they do not know what will be the outcome of the cases against them. The Penal Code provides for a maximum punishment of six months' jail and a fine if found guilty of illegal assembly.( * )

Syahrir said that the students were now trying to generate public interest in their case.

"With the court case pending, we will be meeting with various student leaders in all local universities to garner support," said Syahrir, who added that they were also looking to collect some fund towards contesting the case.

He added that the students will also be meeting with Suhakam again to pressure the commission to look into their case.

"These students have been denied their right to education and we think Suhakam should take up this matter with the relevant authorities," said Syahrir.

Generating support

Although no date has been fixed for this meeting, Syahrir said he hoped to bring in the Anti-ISA Movement (AIM) as well as the recently released six ISA detainees to fight their cause.

"After all, they must realise that we are in a tight spot now for opposing the use of ISA against them. Now that they are released, they should show their support for us," said Rafzan.

The students may have found some support from opposition parties Keadilan and PRM, which in a statement had called for charges against them to be dropped and that they be reinstated by their respective universities.

* CORRECTION : It has been pointed out that the students were charged under the Police Act which carries the maximum punishment of two years imprisonment, RM10,000 fine or both, and not under the Penal Code as reported.