Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has decided to reinstate Zulkefle Idris, who was one of the seven students suspended from various universities after being charged with illegal assembly four years ago.

The group, popularly known as the 'ISA 7', were acquitted in April.

Zulkefle, 25, said he was informed of the decision via a letter from the Johor-based university last week.

It stated that his application for reinstatement was accepted and he could resume his studies when the new semester commences next month.

"The university had also accepted my request to be reinstated as a part-time student," said Zulkefle, who is currently working as a computer programmer.

He was a third-year computer science diploma student, with six months to complete his course when he was arrested.

"I finally feel a sense of relief because in the last four years, I almost gave up (on being reinstated) and was considering to apply to other private varsities," he said.

Previously, another ISA 7 student Helman Sanuddin was denied reinstatement by the Shah Alam-based University Teknologi Mara on the grounds that his study term had lapsed during his suspension.

Zulkefle said UTM also stated that a student could only finish their study term over a certain period but that provision was not applied in his case.

"It will be illogical to apply that because we were suspended due to court trials and not of our own choice. I hope the remaining six will be allowed to return to their universities," he added.

Appeals filed

Meanwhile, Helman today filed two appeals through his lawyer to UiTM and the Higher Education Ministry over the rejection to his reinstatement.

In the appeal to UiTM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah, he questioned the basis of citing the university's academic rules in rejecting his application.

He argued that the suspension letter issued to him in 2001 had only stated that his suspension will last until the disposal of the court case.

"Suspension could not be equated to discontinuation of studies and in reference to the suspension letter, logically, the suspension is automatically nullified (after the disposal of the case)," said Helman in his appeal.

He also argued that the academic rule cited came to effect only in 2003 and hence cannot be used retrospectively for his suspension two years before.

He said he would consider challenging the university's decision in court if it failed to respond to his appeal over the next five days.

Helman was a third-year information technology student, with a year to complete his studies, when he was arrested.

The seven were charged in 2001 for allegedly participating in a demonstration against the Internal Security Act (ISA) outside the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur on June 8 that year.

Following their arrest, they were then barred from attending classes by their respective universities - UTM, UiTM, Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Previously, they had appealed to the Education Ministry but then minister Musa Mohamed said they would only be reinstated if they apologise or until the court cleared them.

The seven had refused to apologise.

Following their acquittal, they submitted written requests to be reinstated but only Helman and Zulkefle have received replies so far.