Pakatan Rakyat's promises to do away with the controversial Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) and all other restrictive laws in its Buku Jingga are "futile and ridiculous", said two of the five suspended Kolej Universiti Insaniah (Kuin) students.

Disappointed over their suspension in May last year, Mohd Faiz Mohd Arsyad said the "promises" contradict Kuin's action.

NONE "To us, the Buku Jingga framework is just in vain... because what the college had done goes against its promises," he said.

Buku Jingga is Pakatan's joint policy statement on a list of immediate reforms it has pledged to implement within 100 days of taking over the federal government.

"The suspension is seen as a move to suppress us. At a time when the students are moving forward, (they are) forbidden to speak out and are denied their rights," Mohd Faiz told Malaysiakini .

The state-run institution in Alor Setar, had refused to withdraw its suspension order against the five students who had objected to using one of their residential college buildings for students of Quran studies in April, last year.

Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak has defended the suspension order saying that the disciplinary action taken against the students were in accordance with the Private Higher Education Institute Act 1996 (Act 555).

NONE Mohd Faiz added the state Pakatan administration was "no different" from BN-run states, which he said had muzzled the students' right to free speech.

"Prior to this, the Umno-BN administration imposed UUCA on students who spoke up. Now in Kedah's Pakatan government, the same thing happens when the students voice out their concerns," said Mohd Faiz, who is also president of Kuin students' council.

While serving his suspension, the fourth-year student, who is pursuing a degree in theology, has started a motivation consultancy firm with his friends, and is currently employed as a motivator by several schools in Butterworth and Ipoh.

Kedah MB hauled up by PAS

Mohd Faiz was suspended for two semesters which would expire in April, while the rest - Muhamad Aiman Ab Razab, Zuki Latif, Ahmad Remy Mohd Arof dan Mohd Azlan Mat Zin - were booted out for one semester and have since resumed their classes.

According to Muhamad Aiman, Pakatan's promises in Buku Jingga were "just to win in the general election".

"They educate students to be forward-looking but they behave like dictators. (In my opinion) Pakatan's promises are ridiculous," he said.

kedah defection ceramah 220510 mb azizan Meanwhile, Kedah MB Azizan has been hauled up by the PAS central working committee this Sunday and asked to explain his decision in backing the suspension of the five students.

Both Mohd Faiz and Muhamad Aiman are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the meeting.

However, Muhamad Aiman said that he would still participate in the Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) Feb 19 protest against Azizan if the suspension was still not withdrawn.