The seven university students currently on trial for illegal assembly have been advised by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to apologise if they want to be reinstated, said a commissioner.

Suhakam vice-chairperson Harun Hashim said the group of seven should accept the 'deal' offered by Education Minister Musa Mohamad, who had asked for an apology in return for reinstatement.

"I went through their individual pleadings and all they asked Suhakam was to be reinstated," he said when contacted today.

"As far as the universities are concerned, their action to suspend the seven complies with the provisions of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1979, although the law itself is severe."

"They should not be stubborn and should just apologise."

Meeting Musa

The group, better known as the ISA 7, has since written to Musa seeking a meeting on the issue of apology and reinstatement.

Rafzan Ramli, Helman Sanudin, Khairul Amal Mahmud, Ahmad Kamal Abdul Hamid, Wan Sanusi Wan Mohd Noor, Nik Noorhafizi Nik Ismail and Zulkefle Idris were suspended by four local public universities.

The ISA 7 were charged in court with illegal assembly following a protest rally outside the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur against the ISA detention of several reformasi activists in June 2001.

Their trial resumed in Kuala Lumpur on Monday preceded by protest rallies and calls for immediate and unconditional reinstatement by students groups, human rights bodies and opposition parties.

Police probe

Meanwhile, Harun said the complaints to Suhakam by former ISA detainees Tian Chua and Hishamuddin Rais will depend on the outcome of the police investigation.

Acting on the advice of Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib Othman, the families of both Tian Chua and Hishamuddin had lodged police reports to expedite investigations.

Harun said the commission was still investigating the matter and have not decided to hold an inquiry yet.

"Since both have lodged police reports, we want to wait until their investigations are completed within a reasonable period of time."

He said a simple case like this would normally take about two months for the police to complete and send their report to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"We feel this process is faster and the result in court may be much more satisfactory for complainants. Otherwise, the perpetrators would only get a public condemnation, at best."

Harun said strategically, it would be better if the case goes to court because then it would be a criminal offence with severe penalties, as opposed to just recommendations by Suhakam.

"If both agencies investigate the same matter, I feel it would be a waste of time and energy because we also have other complaints to investigate," he added.

Follow-up

Suhakam would also revert to Tian Chua and Hishamuddin on their next course of action if the police decide to drop the case or if the AG finds there is no case, he added.

"We will call them and ask if they want to pursue their complaints through a public inquiry, that is, if they are still not satisfied with the results of police investigations."

He said Suhakam would follow up with the police on the progress of their investigations within the next two weeks.

Both reformasi activists claimed they were assaulted by security personnel while detained under the ISA at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak, weeks before their release.

They had also filed complaints with Suhakam, which had promised an investigation.

Harun also confirmed receipt of a detailed report on the alleged incident from the Kamunting authorities following an earlier request .

"We have a blow by blow account of the alleged assault from Kamunting officials but as it was given to us in confidence, I am not at liberty to divulge any details now.

"We may decide to publish it but not until the police have concluded investigations," said Harun.