The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today criticised the Education Ministry and universities for not promptly dealing with a case involving seven students who were suspended two years ago pending a court case.

Commissioner Prof Dr Hamdan Adnan claimed the universities did not take Suhakam's request seriously while ministry officials have also refused to meet with the commission.

According to him, Suhakam met with the vice-chancellors of the universities concerned on numerous occasions but the matter was never given any consideration.

"When we talked to them, they said ' hahaha '. You can imagine how frustrated we were," he told some 40 students who turned up at the commission's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The students, who submitted an eight-point memorandum, urged Suhakam to be more "pro-active and aggressive" in dealing with the case.

Wrong move

Meanwhile, Hamdan also reiterated that it was wrong for the universities to punish the seven before they were found guilty by the court. (see chart)

The seven, who were arrested during an anti-Internal Security Act demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on June 8, 2001 and subsequently charged with illegal assembly, have also appealed to the ministry but have yet to receive feedback.

Hamdan said it was important that the ministry studies the case immediately as the seven have the right to continue their education as provided by the Federal Constitution.

Recalling a personal incident, he told the students of how he was forced to skip classes as a student to attend a court hearing after being arrested in early 1970s for participating in the Baling protest.

Thousands of university students joined hands with farmers in Baling, Kedah and Tasik Utara, Johor over the sufferings of the farmers due to high inflation rate and low rubber price at that time.

Hamdan also urged the authorities to free the seven students of the charge and pledged that Suhakam would step up its campaign since the hearing is around the corner.

The case will be heard at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court on July 14 after being postponed eight times for various reasons.

"We need to resolve the matter strategically now since our past attempts had been proven futile, we need to work closely with the students and use our collective wisdom," he said.

Students' rights

In the memorandum - endorsed by 13 student groups - Suhakam was urged to resubmit the appeal letter to the attorney-general's chambers o withdraw the case against the students and issue an official statement on this matter.

They also wanted the commission to pressure the ministry to revoke the suspension directive.

"We want an assurance from the ministry that students have an adequate platform to practice our civil rights without any pressure in campus," said their spokesperson and Universiti Malaya Student Representative Council president Shahrul Zaman Lukman.

The students also suggested that Suhakam compiles a list on the violation of human rights cases against students and called for the abolishment of the restrictive Universities and University Colleges Act.

This is not the first time the students have raised this issue to the commission.

Speaking to reporters later, Shahrul said they hope to take the seven to campuses to share their experience with others.

"We hope students will come out on July 14 to show their support to the seven," he added.

Former ISA detainees Tian Chua, Hishamuddin Rais, Dr Badrulamin Bahron and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) coordinator Yap Swee Seng were also present this morning.