Students to skip class in solidarity with Azmi

The Universiti Malaya Students Union (PMUM) will stage a hartal (strike) in solidarity with academician Azmi Sharom, charged for sedition.

Students will sit out classes between 1 to 4.30pm on Sept 10, while a rally will be held between 1 to 2pm, event coordinator and final year law student Vince Tan told reporters today.

The Universiti Malaya Academic Staff Union (PKAUM), who is co-organising the rally, said the staff will not participate in the strike but are encouraged to attend the rally.

"This (student strike) is unprecedented. This is the first time in UM's history, a hartal is used to show solidarity,” Tan said.

PMUM president Fahmi Zainol (right) said the students decided to take action to protest the “shackling” of their lecturer.

"We are shocked and disappointed that the government has chosen to suppress and shackle an academician who was only fulfilling his role as a scholar and an educator, " he said.

'Display of critical thinking'

Faculty of Economics and Administration senior lecturer Lee Hwok-Aun ( left ) commended the students for "think(ing) outside of the box" in these "exceptional circumstances".

He said that education is not limited to sitting in lectures in class.

PKAUM vice-president Rosli Mahat also lauded the students’ "independence".

"We are always asking for the students to show their critical thinking skills and to express their independence. What PMUM is doing is exactly that," he said.

Azmi, a UM law lecturer, was charged under the Sedition Act on Sept 2 over remarks he made about the 2009 Perak crisis, in relation to the ongoing Selangor menteri besar saga.

The associate professor is also president of PKAUM.

The 'Solidarity4AzmiSharom' rally wil be held at the UM's Speaker's Corner and will be followed by lectures and a discussion, facilitated by three academicians.

They will then march to the main rallying point at UM's main bus stop, where they will march once again to their final destination at Speaker's Corner.