LETTER | UTM Kuala Lumpur was unveiled last year with the title of "special cost". But students who enrolled in its International College of Science and Technology (MJIIT) for the 2016/17 academic year and above were charged a higher tuition fee than stated in their admission letters. This caused their tuition fees to jump from RM945 to RM5,000 instantly.

Under the leadership of their student organisation 'MJIIT-Voices', the students gathered on their campus on April 9. The number of students present was quite impressive which, in turn, placed considerable pressure on the management.

However, a few days ago, four student leaders involved in the organisation were summoned by the school for a six-hour cross-examination marathon. They were repeatedly threatened by auxiliary police and the administration using the infamous UUCA.

On behalf of student organisations and civil society organisations that are concerned about student rights, we strongly condemn UTM's practice of creating white terror to suppress student voices.

After the increase in tuition fees, UTM's management is now proficient in showing extremely unprofessional behaviour to simply transfer their financial pressure onto innocent students.

The management's recent statement has cunningly misled society and concealed the fact that the students were questioned.

Moreover, the statement was also self-indulgent, completely ignoring the fact that the students criticised the school for unilaterally raising tuition fees.

The statement also mentioned that the affected students can apply for financial aid. This is ridiculous! According to our understanding, the bursaries of 62 students have been withdrawn. If the bursary is the solution, why is UTM withdrawing it?

We urge the management to get real and stop self-deceiving. The most serious problem is that while the Ministry of Education, civil society and the student movements have agreed to the abolition of UUCA and the revival of student autonomy, UTM still dares to use this draconian law to intimidate their own students.

We will stand with these students. If UTM ever prosecutes them using UUCA, we will fight back. We shall win this battle against the injustice and nail these shameless bureaucrats to the wall of shame of history.

The above is endorsed by :

1. University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany)

2. Angkatan Mahasiswa UM

3. Demokrat UM

4. Suara Siswa UM

5. Student Unity Front UKM

6. Student Progressive Front UUM

7. Gabungan Pembebasan Akademik (IPT)

8. Borneo Komrad

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