(AFP) Opposition leaders and rights groups today condemned the expulsion from university of a student activist who was detained under a security law but later released.

They said the expulsion of Mohamad Fuad Mohamad Ikhwan, who was freed on July 16 after being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for 10 days, was aimed at silencing students critical of the government.

The ISA allows indefinite detention without trial.

Anuar Zaini Mohamad Zain, University Malaya vice chancellor, was quoted today by the Utusan Malaysia paper as saying that Mohamad Fuad was expelled because he had been held under the ISA.

(Section 15D (3) of the Universities and Universities Colleges Act stipulates that a student detained "...under any written law relating to preventive detention or internal security" shall cease to be a student.)

Cynthia Gabriel, executive director of local rights group Suaram, said the expulsion was unfair as it robbed the student of his right to education.

"There should be sufficient breathing space for students to engage in social issues and matters pertaining to social justice," she told AFP .

Unmatured democracy

DAP secretary general Kerk Kim Hock described the expulsion as "unfair, cruel and unacceptable".

Student participation in politics was "a good sign" and students should be given the freedom to express their views, he said.

"As long as they don't cross boundaries, such as endanger national security, we should not over-worry about student activism," he told AFP .

Kerk and Suaram both said the clampdown on students seemed to be a move to silence government critics.

"This just shows our democracy is not matured if criticism towards the government cannot be tolerated," Kerk said.