The New Straits Times reported today that Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak has been given the gag order after the PAS political bureau held a meeting on Wednesday.

penang kedah timber logging azizan abdul razak 310708 03 “I will no longer issue any comments on the Kuin controversy... I have received an order,” Azizan ( right ) was quoted as saying.

Azizan’s decision to suspend five Kolej Universiti Insaniah (Kuin) students for protesting has sparked outrage among his Pakatan Rakyat colleagues.

He defended the students’ suspension saying that it was in accordance with the Private Higher Education Institute Act 1996 (Act 555), and not under the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) as reported.

This act and the Educational Institutions (Discipline) Act 1976 (Act 174) are laws similar to the UUCA, but tailored for private universities and institutions of higher learning.

Students’ groups have, however, chided Azizan of trying to divert the controversy to justify the suspension.

Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia, for one, has urged the menteri besar to reverse his suspension order or face being booted out of the state in the coming general election.