As the UKM4 fought an uphill battle in a bid to declare part of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) as unconstitutional, there was never a lack of supporters.

“The entire political science class came... our lecturer cancelled the class and said, ‘Okay, students, go support your friends’,” said Muhammad Hilman Idham.

“At that time, our trial was on the third floor, (opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim’s was on the fifth but we had more supporters turning up than Anwar did,” Hilman said.

NONE Together with Woon King Chai, Muhammad Ismail Amunuddin and Azlin Shafina Mohamad Adza, the four called the UKM4 were present together with their supporters at the Jalan Duta Court Complex as the Kuala Lumpur High Court delivered its decision on the legal challenge.

The result, unfortunately, was not favourable to them.

Undaunted, Hilman claimed victory in their pursuit to create awareness among undergraduates about the law, and the four later appealed to the Court of Appeal.

In a landmark decision on Oct 31, the Court of Appeal declared Section 15(5)(a) of the UUCA that threatens student with disciplinary action for expressing support or sympathy for any political parties as unconstitutional.

“Even though we had full confidence in the judicial system, it came as a surprise because there has been a lot of precedents that cases challenging the constitutionality of laws with regard to human rights have failed,” said Woon.

‘We could have just apologised’

However, prior to the ruling granting undergraduates nationwide new-found political freedom, Hilman and Woon in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini said they had to first fight against their expulsion from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Shortly after returning to university following the fiasco at the Hulu Selangor by-election, the four were slapped with letters accusing them of participating in politics under Section 15(5)(a) of the UUCA.

NONE “My reaction was different, Hilman’s reaction was different, Hilman was saying, 'let’s fight this!' I thought, you’ve got to be serious!” said Woon ( right ), as he laughed.

“There were people who suggested, why don’t you just apologise and ask them (university) to drop the case,” said Woon, who was admittedly worried.

“But my father said no, do not apologise for something that you have not done wrong... Family-wise, I was grateful because I had their support.”

In contrast, Hilman was angered over the looming disciplinary action, more so as he felt responsible for bringing his three political science coursemates to Hulu Selangor.

“I could not panic, I thought I must remain calm and lead my friends, even though my soul was troubled,” quipped Hilman.

Indignant over the injustice and confident of their innocence, the group conducted nightly meetings to discuss their course of action in fighting the charges, and was further encouraged by the large turnouts by supporters and well-wishers.

‘We’ve left our mark’

“We had confidence that the UUCA was wrong and that we could not let it be; that we cannot be selfish and just think about getting out of this. What about future undergraduates?” said Hilman.

With such confidence, and emboldened by the university’s disciplinary board to later clear them of all wrongdoing, the four challenged the constitutionality of the law in court, culminating in the landmark Oct 31 decision.

“The fact is the decision didn’t have much impact on us as we expected because, by that time, we had graduated but it would benefit more people than just the four of us. All undergraduates in the country can savour this new-found freedom,” said Woon.

Despite a looming move by the Attorney-General’s Chambers to appeal the decision in the Federal Court, Hilman said the UKM4 and undergraduates have made their mark.

“I think if they appeal or not, win or lose, it does not change the belief by undergraduates that the UUCA is no longer necessary.

“Now, the only argument (to retain the UUCA or otherwise) is not only with the government... undergraduates, lecturers and society believe that it is time for undergraduates in universities to be given freedom,” declared Hilman.

This interview was jointly conducted by Abdul Rahim Sabri and Nigel Aw.

VIDEO | 7.49 mins

 

The interview was jointly conducted by Abdul Rahim Sabri and Nigel Aw .

 

INTERVIEW WITH UKM4

Part 1: Ex-UKM students: Detained, like in a Tamil film

Part 2: Lecturer cancelled classes in support of us, say UKM4

Part 3: UKM rebels take to politics after graduating

YOURSAY: UKM 4 shall have a place in history