Fahmi: Suspension shows UM has no compassion
Former Universiti Malaya student union president, Fahmi Zainol said the university's decision to suspend him and student Safwan Shamsuddin immediately showed no compassion on the institution’s part, as exams are less than three weeks away.
Former Universiti Malaya student union president, Fahmi Zainol said the university's decision to suspend him and student Safwan Shamsuddin immediately, showed no compassion on the institution’s part, as exams are less than three weeks away.
Fahmi is in his final semester before graduation.
In a statement today, Fahmi said he personally expected the punishment as the proceedings were just for show.
He was recently charged for organising a gathering on campus on Oct 27, featuring Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, a UM alumnus, without the university's permission.
This resulted in Fahmi and Safwan being suspended and six others being fined.
“The action to suspend Safwan for one semester and me for two semesters shows there is no compassion or empathy, since our exams less than three weeks away,” he said.
Scholarship may be revoked
Fahmi also faces the prospect of his Public Services Department scholarship being revoked.
He further asked whether the university vice-chancellor had considered the feelings of his parents, since he only had a few months before graduating.
“Have they thought how difficult it is, following my poor background, of trying to change my future and my family’s by studying? Have they thought of this?” he asked.
“Am I guilty for wanting to see this tertiary institution to be run in a proper way? Is it wrong for me to voice my opinion? I am not a poor student and also I am not a youth who violated from the right path. My actions were simply to correct what was not right,” said Fahmi.
Despite this, Fahmi added, he would not be deterred and that the suspension would give him more reason to be involved in and support UM student activities.
Solidarity fund
Meanwhile, the Pan-Malaysian Coalition of Islamic Undergraduates (Gamis) student movement, in condemning the actions on the students, also launched a solidarity fund to assist the UM8.
“We call upon all to donate as a sign of solidarity and support to the young undergraduates who have been victimised by the draconian Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA),” said Gamis’ National Politics Council chief Muhammad Najib Abdurrahim.
Those who would like to donate may do so through these accounts:
Maybank: 164258533432 [Khairol Najib Hashim];
Bank Islam: 14171020403687 [Fahmi Zainol];and
Bank Muamalat: 14040015084723 [Najib Abdurrahim].
They may also contact Najib at 0132916261.
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