New Era College students - numbering 300 - gathered in black shirts to protest the decision not to extend their principal Dr Kua Kia Soong’s contract. They were joined by staff of the college.

new era college student piket 071108 memo Gathered in front of the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) office, they held banners and shouted slogans such as "Don’t ignore our wishes", "Campus democracy, academic freedom" and "Extend dean's service".

They were led by newly formed student organisation ‘Students for New Era College Action Committee’.

The students then presented a signed petition from 800 students asking the association to reverse its decision to Dong Zong representative, deputy president Chow Siew Hon.

They were discontent that Chow and not president Yap Sian Tian was there to receive the petition.

Addressing the students, Chow promised to bring the matter and petition to New Era board of directors and apologised for Yap’s absence.

new era college student piket 071108 yap fook hing The students initiated the petition on Wednesday and collected an impressive 800 signatures from a total of 1700 students in New Era.

Sew Jian Hao, a student representative called the protest only 50 percent successful - since they did not manage to meet Yap.

He warned that if New Era board failed to respond by Nov 11, they will step up their actions, including the possibility of a sit-down strike.

Staff too

Also at the event, the college staff presented their own petition for Dr Kua. Seventy-six out of the 120 administrative and teaching personnel joined the protest.

Their petition stressed that renewing Dr Kua’s contract was the only way to stabilise the situation and regain public confidence of New Era.

new era college student piket 071108 kua kia soong 2 Dr Kua himself was observing the development from the second floor of the college building, which is adjacent to the Dong Zong office. He waved to the students in support.

He told reporters later that he knew of the protest, but he was assured it would be peaceful. The principal praised the maturity of the students and staff at the protest.

The academic denied that the students were being exploited by some parties.

"Even the government accused Chinese community of being utilised by communist (during the 1999 SuQiu incident).

"(But) now it is not the Umno leaders who come to destroy us, but the Dong Jiao Zong," Dr Kua added.

new era college student piket 071108 group2 The relationship between the principal and his superior Yap deteriorated badly over the past four month, exploding in a power struggle for the college.

Last Sunday, Dong Zong’s extraordinary general meeting chose to not renew Dr Kua’s contract expiring in December. Five department heads resigned the day after in protest.

Founded in 1998 by Dong Zong and other Chinese educational bodies, New Era College was seen as the first step in realising a Chinese-language university in Malaysia.