The University of Malaya Academic Staff Association (PKAUM) has always and will continue to defend the rights of Malaysians to express themselves as guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

This is of particular relevance to PKAUM because freedom of expression is an integral component of academic freedom.

Therefore, PKAUM strongly objects to the recent arrest of Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the Internal Security Act for an article he wrote on his blog.

We do so for the following reasons:

1. The historical records (parliamentary debates), preamble of the ISA and statements by the drafter of the ISA, clearly show that the Act was designed to combat violent uprisings against the nation.

It was not meant to oppress free speech.

2. There is no indication whatsoever that Raja Petra was conducting or planning to conduct any violent activity against the nation.

Furthermore the offences that he has been accused of can be dealt with by existing laws like the Penal Code and the Sedition Act.

The proper legal process should be allowed to run its course.

3. The use of the ISA in this way is in direct contradiction to the principles of a democratic country.

The writer is president, University of Malaya Academic Staff Association .