The ban issued on Universiti Malaya staff from organising “political activities” is likely due to academic staff’s support for the student activists dubbed the UM8, student activist Safwan Shamsuddin said.

The Universiti Malaysia Pro-Mahasiswa chairperson speculated the move is meant to place pressure on academic staff who backed the UM8, as well as UM lecturer Azmi Sharom who has been charged with sedition.

“This ban is malicious and one-sided to place pressure on those involved in those issues,” said Safwan in a statement yesterday.

Safwan ( right ) is among eight UM students (UM8) who were slapped with disciplinary action for involvement in an on-campus rally featuring Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim organized on the eve of the latter’s Sodomy II appeal.

Safwan was eventually suspended, while others were fined or let off with a warning.

Following this, in a circular dated Dec 23, UM registrar Yusoff Musa told university staff they are banned from organising political activities, including members who are "on study leave, vacation leave or attending seminars or workshops inside or outside the country".

The UM Academic Union, headed by law lecturer Azmi, has vowed to oppose the ban.

The circular, Safwan said, does not define “political activity” and could even extend to programmes where politicians are invited as guests of honour.

“Or maybe only activities with Pakatan Rakyat are considered … ”political activity”,” he said.

“The university can stop trying to fool and spook students and staff with all sorts of threats and punishments.

“The university should live up to its functions and not just follow orders of vested interests,” he said.