Students submit protest memo against Akujanji to Suhakam

comments     Kevin Tan     Published     Updated

Students concerned with the consequences of signing the Akujanji 'good conduct pledge' sought the help of Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today against what they see as a curb on their fundamental right of expression.

According to a protest memorandum by the students, the pledge devised by the Education Ministry would severely restrict students' freedom of expression and bind them to future provisions which may not even exist as yet.

Sixteen student groups endorsed the memorandum against the pledge. Among them were the National Association of Muslim Students (PKPIM), Chinese Language Society of Universiti Malaya and Universiti Sains Malaysia and New Era College student union.

Fifteen undergraduates led by a private college student Shahrir Mahmood turned up at Suhakam's office in Kuala Lumpur today to submit their appeal to Suhakam commissioner Ramon Navaratnam.

They urged the Education Ministry and university authorities to allow students to sign the pledge on their own free will instead of by compulsion.

They also claimed that the university authorities had not properly briefed them about the pledge and its implications.

Deputy Education Minister Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin had reportedly said those who refused to sign the good conduct pledge should be out of the national education system.

The students asked for Suhakam's official stand on the issue and for it to adopt a 'more aggressive' approach in handling human rights issues.

While Navaratnam promised that the commission will study the students' memorandum, he however said he could not give his opinion on the matter.

Still confident of Suhakam

Speaking at a press conference later, Shahrir said the students still have confidence in Suhakam by lodging their complaint with the commission although 33 non-governmental organisations have been boycotting the human rights body for 100 days since May 4.

"We are still giving Suhakam a chance to show its credibility in promoting and defending human rights. It is clear that students are confident of Suhakam," he said.

"We hope that documents submitted by the students will not only be kept as historical documents. We hope Suhakam will take action to regain the trust of the public and the students."

The student leader added that the group will continue to raise the awareness on the pledge issue among their peers when they return to their respective institutions of higher learning.

Meanwhile, another student leader Chang Lih Kang said the students also wanted to send a clear message to the Education Ministry that there are students who oppose the pledge.

"We want to send a clear message to [Education Minister] Tan Sri Musa [Mohamad]. Before this he said there was no student who refused to sign the good conduct pledge. This is a very clear message that we are against the pledge," he said.

Chang, however, said he was disappointed with the outcome of today's dialogue.

"I want to let Suhakam know that I'm not too satisfied with today's dialogue. As a commissioner, Tan Sri Ramon should have his own stand [on the issue]," he said.



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