A former student activist today urged Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) not to take disciplinary action against a final-year student accused of being involved in the campaign for an opposition leader during the general election earlier this year.

"USM should stop harassing its students and intimidating them against exercising their fundamental liberties by using the repressive Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) and other regulations," said ex-USM student Choo Chon Kai when contacted.

He said the university should respect and protect the civil liberties of students which are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and ensure there is no action taken against those involved in political activities.

Choo, who served a three-month suspension two years ago for a similiar infringement, added that students' participation in election campaigns should not be deemed as tarnishing the university's image.

He was commenting on the case of Soh Sook Hwa, 22, a final-year USM journalism student and ex-student representative. She is slated to face disciplinary proceedings next Wednesday.

In January 2002, Choo was suspended for one semester from USM after being found guilty of possessing anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) badges. He has since graduated.

Questionable process

Recollecting his experience, he said the disciplinary proceedings, chaired by the university's deputy vice-chancellor, was a questionable and unfair process.

"In a court, the defendant is innocent until proven guilty and the onus of proof rests with the prosecution.

"But in the university's disciplinary proceedings, we have to tell the tribunal why we are not guilty," he claimed.

He also questioned its impartiality since those who hear the case are the same individuals who make the charge against the student.

In Soh's case, she has been accused of breaching section 15 of the UUCA and "tarnishing the university's image". If found guilty, she could even face expulsion.

Abide by guidlines

However, USM deputy vice-chancellor Assoc Prof Jamaluddin Mohaiadin yesterday denied the claim by human rights organisation Suaram that Soh has been threatened with expulsion.

In a statement, he said she has only been called by the university's disciplinary board to explain her involvement in the election campaign and the board had not meted out any punishment.

He added that the university never prevented any student from participating in the democratic process including voting or expressing their opinions but they must abide by the regulations "formulated for their own good".

Responding to this, Choo, who is also Suaram Penang coordinator, said even summoning the student to attend disciplinary proceedings is deemed as a form of harassment and an attempt to prevent others from participating in similar activities.

He stressed that it is also a fact that Soh was facing the possibility of expulsion, as this is stated in the university act.

Apart from Suaram, the Malaysian Youth and Students Democratic Movement (Dema) have also called for the case against Soh to be dropped.

Lawyer's presence

Meanwhile, Soh when contacted refused to comment on her case before the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.

It is learnt that the 22-year-old student has requested that the proceedings be carried out in the presence of her counsel. The request was made via a letter issued by Ngeow & Tan Co dated Nov 17 but there has been no response from the university.

Over the years, the UUCA has been invoked against several students for their off-campus activities.

In 2001, seven students - who hailed from various higher educational institutions - were suspended for participating in an anti-ISA demonstration.

In the same year, USM suspended three students for taking part in a demonstration against the 'vision school' concept and for participating in a debate without permission.

UUCA was enacted in 1971 to control the flourish of student movements.