After the disciplinary proceedings of six Universiti Malaya students (UM6) who were accused of holding a press conference on campus without the university’s permission by its Students Affairs Department (HEP), they were all found guilty and were given a stern warning by Universiti Malaya (UM). Five of them decided to appeal against the university to demand that their disciplinary charges be dropped.

Universiti Malaya Association Youth (Umany) deems that UM6 are innocent. We strongly criticise the serious deficiencies and flaws of the proceeding and thinks that the unfair and unprofessional proceeding has become tools to impose charges on students who raise an objection. Thus, Umany and UM6 could not accept such unfair judgement under a proceeding that is full of deficiencies.

During the proceeding, three members of the panel chosen by the university do not possess any legal background and do not have professional legal knowledge nor concept of legal proceedings.

Despite the defense quoting the federal constitution to defend their rights, those panellists were still more than happy to use the rules and regulations of the university to refute the argument, and completely disregarding the provisions of the federal constitution of Malaysia that guarantee freedom of speech.

They also insisted that “they were just following rules” as an excuse to reject the refutation process from the defendants. Umany thus questions the university’s proceeding, whether it was just a show or practically a black box?

Not only that, the evidence that accuses UM6 given by the panels were all lacking in persuasiveness. The panels used the news of ‘Internet Quota’ from Facebook based on the total likes, shares and comments as evidence to accuse the UM6 of tarnishing the university’s name and demanded that they be responsible for the comments on Facebook.

Umany strongly condemns the act of panellists using such subjective opinion without proper evidence to sentence the students. We are strong unsatisfied with the university that uses proceeding as an operational procedure to bring charges. Umany will continue to stand with UM6 to protect freedom of speech in campus.

Freedom of speech and the right to object are the basic rights for every student in university, and shouldn’t be deprived by the authorities. Umany would like remind the university that students are the main body of the university. Any objection should be listened to and respected, but not stifled using university rules.

Lastly, Umany urges the administration of Universiti Malaya to drop all charges against the UM6 and not to forget that university is actually violating the federal constitution that endows basic freedom for all citizens.

HO CHI YANG is president of the Universiti Malaya Association Youth (Umany).