updated version

Ten Universiti Sains Malaysia alumni, including one member of parliament, protested outside the university's side entrance as 33 undergraduates of the Penang campus appear before a disciplinary proceeding this morning.

Carrying two banners, they urged the university authorities to cancel the proceeding against the students  mostly members of the USM Chinese Language Society (CLS)  and called for the restoration of democracy in campus.

The member of parliament for Tanjung, Chow Kon Yeow, was among the group comprised of former CLS members from Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Keadilan supreme council member Cheah Kah Peng also appeared to show his support.

Some university security officials had tried to stop the protest which lasted for about 10 minutes until police put a halt to it. About four plainclothes policemen were also present at the scene.

The 33 were charged with illegal gathering when they turned up to support two CLS student leaders at their hearing before university authorities last August.

CLS president Lee Yen Ting was eventually suspended last week for her involvement in an 'illegal gathering' in November 2000 to protest against the vision school concept while society secretary Choo Chon Kai was suspended for selling anti-Internal Security Act badges.

Two other students, Loke Chee Hoe and Nurul Fatean, were also suspended for participating in the gathering.

Following the suspension, Lee, Choo and Loke, who are final year students, will not be able to graduate this year.

Unfair and undemocratic

DAPs Chow said the disciplinary action against the students was hard to believe as well as unfair and undemocratic.

He claimed that the harsh punishment was meant to 'get back' at students who have dissenting views.

"I believe if they put up a banner endorsing vision schools and supporting the ISA, they will not have so much problem," said Chow, who added that selling anti-ISA badges is not a reflection of partisan interest anyway, but "just an objection against some government policies".

The proceeding against the 33 students started at 9am and resumed after lunch break at the university's Student Affairs Department.

A spokesperson for the protest today said the alumni will start a signature campaign in support of the suspended students as well as those grilled today.

Reporters barred

Meanwhile, journalists who wanted to cover the hearing were barred from going near the building where it was being held.

USM security personnel blocked the road leading up to the building and inspected all passing vehicles.

Those who identified themselves as journalists were not allowed to enter the area.

A senior security personnel said USM vice-chancellor Prof Dzulkifli Abdul Razak had given the order to bar reporters from the building. They were, however, permitted to enter the university campus.

Several journalists who turned up said they were harassed and scolded by USM security personnel and the police.

One reporter said the security threatened to confiscate a photographer's film roll and have his (the reporters) official press tag suspended.