The decision by the Attorney-General's Chambers to appeal against the acquittal of seven suspended university students has elicited criticism from student groups.

In a statement today, the Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (Dema) said it was disappointed with the appeal as the seven, dubbed the 'ISA 7', had already gone through a four-year ordeal.

"Dema denounces the action to appeal, it fails to recognise that participating in a peaceful assembly is the right of every citizen enshrined in the Federal Constitution," said its national affairs secretary Ginie Lim

The students pointed out that freedom of assembly, expression and speech are indispensable pillars of a democratic society.

It also called upon the universities to reinstate the seven students and the higher education ministry to compensate for their suffering over the four years while waiting for the trial to conclude.

'Insensitive' move

Another student coalition, the Malaysian Students Solidarity (SMM) also urged that the AG's Chambers revoke its decision.

"This is an insensitive move in view of the four-year tedious court process that the students had already suffered. It would be another punishment against the seven," said its spokesperson Mohd Ramadhan Fitri Ellias when contacted.

He hoped that the appeal process would not further jeopardise the students' chances from being reinstated when the new academic year commences in June.

Also flaying the AG's Chambers for its decision was DAP Youth (Dapsy). Its committee member and Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan said the wing will write to the AG's Chambers to urge it to review its decision.

"We don't understand why the AG (Abdul Gani Patail) wants to continue to prosecute the 'ISA 7' when the magistrate's court has decided to acquit them.

"Dapsy condemns the move as it runs contrary to the suggestions and recommendations by the police royal commission that restrictions on assembly is inconsistent to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution (freedom of speech, assembly and association)," she said when contacted.

Fong, who has consistently raised the plight of the 'ISA 7' in Parliament, added that she will continue to do so if the seven have to face another round of legal battle.

Unlawful assembly?

On April 22, the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court acquitted the seven on the ground that the prosecution had failed to prove they had organised and participated in an anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) demonstration outside the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur on June 8, 2001.

Magistrate Mohd Khairi Haron also said that the prosecution had failed to prove it was an unlawful assembly.

Following that, the prosecution had filed a notice of appeal with the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The seven are Rafzan Ramli, Helman Sanuddin, Wan Sanusi Wan Mohd Noor, Khairul Amal Mahmud, Nik Noorhafizi Nik Ibrahim, Ahmad Kamal Abdul Hamid and Zulkefle Idris.

They have since been banned from attending classes by the four varsities where they were studying. Previously, they had appealed to the education ministry but then education minister Musa Mohamed said they could only be reinstated if they apologised , which they refused to do.

Following their acquittal, a few of the students wrote to their respective universities seeking reinstatement but have yet to receive any response.