The Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) student council has called for law professor Abdul Aziz Bari's suspension to be lifted.

"(His) suspension stifles the development of deep, critical and analytical ideas and discussions, desperately needed to improve the performance of Malaysian universities," said the student council in a press statement yesterday.

The students also demanded that the university and the Higher Education Ministry to restore academic freedom and to reform university rules and disciplinary proceedings, including:

  • Amend or abolish rules and regulations against the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the federal constitution.
  • Amend the procedures for the disciplinary proceedings and action, such as allowing the right to legal representation, a neutral judge, and a public trial.

NONE Meanwhile four NGOs - Malaysia Youth And Students Democratic Movement (Dema), the civil society committee of LLG Cultural Development Centre (CSC-LLG), the civil rights committee of the Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) and the Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) - also demanded a retraction of Aziz’ suspension.

"We believe that all rakyat should have the freedom to comment on the constitutional democratic system, furthermore Aziz Bari has given his opinion based on his field of expertise.

"Therefore the action against him is unreasonable,” said the group in a joint statement today.

They added that UIA’s actions were “baseless” and against the principles of academic freedom that puts the reputation of our higher institutions into international disrepute.

The NGOs also called for the abolition of the oppressive University and University Collleges Act (UUCA) that “gives  absolute power to (institutions of learning) that threaten academic freedom”.

Suspension 'malicious'

Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) also backed the law professor, saying that academic issues should be settled through intellectual discussion.

NONE "If this happens, Abim believes that the credibility of both (debating) parties would be preserved and it would serve as an example to the public in the effort to spread knowledge," said its president Amidi Abdul Manan ( left ) in a press statement yesterday.

PAS Youth also criticised the suspension, calling it "overboard, cruel, and malicious".

"As a constitutional expert, (Abdul Aziz) has the right to issue statements without the intention to offend any party, including the Selangor sultan himself," according to a statement by their information chief Riduan Mohd Nor.

Abdul Aziz was suspended from his duties at UIA on October 20, reportedly to facilitate investigations into allegations that he was disrespectful to the sultan. He has to respond to a show-cause letter by October 25.

This led to a student demonstration on university grounds last Friday involving about 700 students to oppose the suspension.

His cause has also drawn support from many quarters, including students, academics, politicians, and Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

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