A student group has launched a signature campaign to persuade Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to withdraw its police report against Suaram intern Tan Hong Kai, who has been charged with criminal trespass.

NONE USM Students Progressive Front spokesperson Yong Kin Yin said 500 signatures are being targetted in support of Tan (left) , who was charged on May 7 at the Penang Magistrate's Court.

The signatures will be attached to a memorandum to be submitted to Vice-Chancellor Professor Omar Osman on Monday.

"In the memorandum, we urge the USM authorities to withdraw the police report against Tan and stop harassing student activists," Yong told a press conference yesterday.

"Such a move is obviously politically motivated. We also urged the attorney-general to drop the charge.”

She said the charge of trespassing with criminal intent "does not make sense" as a group of students had invited Tan into the campus to put up posters alongside them.

NONE Therefore, she said, the question of "not seeking permission" does not arise.

"Furthermore, criminal trespass implies that Tan had intended to commit a crime, but all that the security guard witnessed that night was him putting up posters," Yong added.

"All he had was posters and a stapler. He had no intention to commit a crime or hurt anyone.”

Police advice

Tan, a recent graduate, was the first Bersih supporter arrested by police for putting up posters promoting the election reform pressure group’s sit-in in Kuala Lumpur on April 28.

A security guard caught him between 2am and 3am on April 20. He was taken to the Sungai Nibong police station, where a report was lodged and he was detained for nearly 12 hours.

According to Tan, he had entered the campus that day without being stopped by security personnel.

He explained that he had also visited the campus many times before.

While under detention, he was advised by police to seek permission before putting up posters.