Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has reserved its decision against a final year student over her alleged involvement in the March general election following a two-hour disciplinary hearing yesterday.

The five-member panel headed by the university's deputy vice-chancellor Assoc Prof Dr Jamaluddin Mohaiadin did not fix any date to announce its decision against 22-year-old student leader Soh Sook Hwa. However, she is expected to know her fate within a month.

Apart from Jamaluddin, three lecturers, one students' affairs and development division official and a security department officer were also present during the hearing which started at 2.40pm.

University officials present at the hearing declined to comment on the proceedings when approached by reporters.

Contacted by malaysiakini yesterday, Soh, who is also USM Chinese Language Society president and ex-student representative, said she could not elaborate on the hearing.

She has been repeatedly warned by the disciplinary board not to reveal what had transpired at the hearing.

Under the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA), students are prohibited from making public statements or issuing media statements without prior written permission from the university's vice-chancellor.

Expulsion maximum penalty

Soh's lawyer, Ang Hean Leng, who was also at the university was not permitted to attend the hearing on the ground that it was a domestic inquiry. A request for legal representation for Soh submitted by her counsel earlier was rejected.

However, the counsel is expected to appeal to the higher education ministry to allow Soh to be granted legal representation.

Soh, a final year journalism student, has been accused of breaching Section 15 of the UUCA and "tarnishing the university's image" for allegedly campaigning for opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Tian Chua in the March general election.

If found guilty, Soh could be slapped with the maximum punishment of expulsion from the university. She is scheduled to complete her studies next March.

Soh was among three USM students investigated for their involvement in the election. The other two have since graduated in August.

Suaram Penang coordinator Choo Chon Kai who was present at the university in Penang yesterday criticised USM for reserving its decision and imposing a gag order against Soh.

Choo told malaysiakini that the university should not have initiated the disciplinary action in the first place and imposing a gag order was similar to a threat against the student.

Choo himself was suspended for one semester in January 2002 for possessing anti-Internal Security Act badges.

Joint memorandum

Meanwhile, a delegation comprising civil society representatives submitted a joint memorandum to a USM official yesterday, urging the university to drop the case against Soh.

The memorandum was endorsed by 53 groups including Suaram, National Human Rights Society, political parties and student bodies.

Another group of 40 students were also present at the university to show their support to Soh. They handed over more than 1,800 petitions they gathered in urging the university to stop its action to a USM official.