Freedom of speech is a right enshrined under Article 10 of the federal constitution, said five Universiti Malaya student leaders in response to a show-cause letter from their varisty for holding a press conference on internet Wi-Fi usage on campus.

Universiti Malaya Muslim Students Association (PMIUM) exco member Suhail Wan Azahar told Malaysiakini today that the students had on Jan 5 responded to the show-cause letter dated Dec 29.

“All students have a right to express their views on any campus policy based on Article 10 of the federal constitution, the supreme law of the land that protects our right to freedom of speech,” said Suhail.

He added that all five students had submitted the same one-line response to the UM’s student affairs vice-chancellor's office, under the advice of PKR Youth exco member Fahmi Zainol.

“This (show-cause letter) is not new. It has happened many times in the past where students were served with a show-cause letter for holding a press conference without permission.

“Usually, once we respond, there will be no follow-up action from the university,” he said, adding that the letters could be seen as an attempt to silence the students from highlighting issues affecting them.

UM vice-chancellor for student affairs Rohana Yusof had given the students seven days to respond or face disciplinary action.

Aside from Suhail, others who were served with the letter included PMIUM exco member Nur Hananie Chow Abdullah, Fahmie Nuaiman, Muhammad Luqman and Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) president Ho Chi Yang.

Umany in a statement on Jan 3 had condemned the show-cause letter as a suppression of freedom of expression and questioned the university’s timing in doing so during their preparation week before examinations.

Ho at the press conference held at UM’s main campus in Petaling Jaya further alleged the university planned to impose a five gigabyte monthly Wi-Fi limit on students this year though UM later denied this.

The press conference was jointly held with Universiti Malaya Muslim Students Association (PMIUM).