Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) deputy vice-chancellor Professor Adnan Hussein has been rapped for his remark that disciplinary action will be taken against the two undergraduates who were involved in a sit-in protest at Parliament.

Advocates of freedom of expression felt that the student’s participation in the protest should not be criminalised.

“What really is their crime? Has USM examined that or are they just assessing things (they haven't made a decision yet) based on the police arrests of the students?” asked a local professor.

Prof Zaharom Nain ( photo ) said that freedom of expression was crucial in the context of a country where education standards have dropped and where there are attempts to make our universities world class.

Asked if Adnan’s remarks would invite negative repercussions towards USM, which was awarded the status of apex university, Zaharom replied “Without that freedom, how can we really nurture creative and critical Malaysians locally?”

“It's not only the case of image. It is, more importantly, the case of providing necessary space to enable the liberation of minds,” said Zaharom who teaches media and communication studies at a local private university.

Zaharom reminded that local universities cannot pretend to genuinely compete at the international level if they put up roadblocks to enquiry.

'They're not small kids'

The were are part of the group of 17 students and activists arrested by police on Aug 25 for protesting outside Parliament.

They were remanded for three days at the Jinjang police detention centre and were later released.

The group is being investigated under Section 124B of the Penal Code for 'activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy'.

Another advocate of press freedom, Mustafa K Anuar ( photo ), said that in the first place, university students should be treated like young adults and citizens who have the democratic right to express their views and also their youthful idealism.

“They shouldn’t be treated like small kids needing their hands to be held,” said Mustafa, who is currently a fellow at the Penang Institute.

“If university authorities disagree with the position or action these students have taken, then the university concerned should engage them in ways befitting of institutions of higher learning such as forums, debates and conferences,” he pointed out.

“This should be part and parcel of their learning process. Besides, youthful idealism should not be criminalised,” stressed the former communications lecturer.

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