The Kuala Lumpur High Court (Appellate and Special Powers Division) will on July 9 hear arguments to decide on whether Section 15(5A) of the University and University Colleges Act (UCCA) is constitutional.

The hearing involves the case of four Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) students who have been accused of campaigning during the recent Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election.

After an inter-parte hearing on the injunction granted to the students on June 1 to stay disciplinary action against them by UKM, judge Aziah Ali said the injunction would remain in force until the disposal of the case.

"However, failure to prove that Section 15(5A) of the UCCA is unconstitutional will mean the students have to face disciplinary action from the university officials," lawyer Ashok Kandiah, who is representing the four students, said.

The inter-parte hearing involved three plaintiffs - UKM, the government of Malaysia and the Higher Education Minister.

UKM was represented by lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah while the government of Malaysia and Higher Education Minister were represented by lawyer Aida Adha.

NONE The four political science students ( picture, right ) - Muhammad Hilman Idham, Azlin Shafina Mohamad Adzha, Woon King Chai and Muhammad Ismail Aminuddin - received their summones on May 13 to face a disciplinary hearing for contravening Section 15(5) of the UCCA.

The section reads: "No organisation, body or group of students of the university which is established by, under or in accordance with the Constitution, or any other organisation, body or group of students of the university, shall express or do anything which may be construed as expressing support, sympathy or opposition to - (a) any political party whether or not it is in Malaysia."

Muhammad Hilman and Azlin Shafina were arrested at Pekan Rasa on April 22, allegedly for possessing CDs and literature which "expressed support or sympathies" for a certain political party contesting in the by-election. Muhammad Ismail was arrested in Ampang Pecah on the same day, in a van that contained political leaflets.

Hilman suspended as society president

In another development, Muhammad Hilman said he had received a registered letter from the university officials today, stating that his position as president of the university's Political Science Society has been temporarily suspended because of the court proceedings.

The letter, which was signed by Student Services Department unit chief Musa Zainal Abidin Osman, stated that the action was taken in accordance with paragraph 52( 7) of the UKM constitution, which states that no student who is facing disciplinary proceedings in the university, or has been proven guilty, should hold any position in any student body in the university.

" This is another move to restrict the student movement in the university," said Hilman.

He added that this was a wrong move, as he was had not been brought before the university tribunal yet.

The three others, who are currently holding top positions in the association, have to date not received such letters from UKM.