The Federal Court today upheld the High Court and Court of Appeal decision that deemed the move by the Universiti Malaya disciplinary board to punish five students who allegedly helped organise the “Anwar Ibrahim Public Talk: From UM to Jail” at the campus in 2014 was not according to procedure.

A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Mohd Raus Sharif, dismissed UM's appeal, saying they did adhere to procedures under Rules 54 and 55 of the university's disciplinary rules, which were gazetted in 1997.

UM's lawyer Kadar Abdullah had applied for leave to pose five questions of law to the court.

However, this was refused by the bench, which also comprised Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Justice Richard Malanjum and Federal Court judge Justice Jeffrey Tan Kok Wha.

Tan also said that universities are where students should endeavour to hold on to their ideals.

The five former students were former Persatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya president Fahmi Zainol and his then committee members Safwan Shamsuddin, Adam Fistivil Wilfrid, Haw Yu Hong and Khairol Najib Hashim.

Fahmi and Safwan were previously suspended, while the others were fined.

All of them are now working adults, including Haw, who was the only one of the five present at today's proceedings.

Commenting on the decision, Haw said that after four years, he was glad that the ordeal was finally over.

"Its a good victory for all students,” he added. The five were represented by lawyers Edmund Bon and New Sin Yew.

It was reported three months ago that a three-member Court of Appeal bench, led by David Wong Dak Wah, had dismissed UM's appeal.

In 2016, Shah Alam High Court judge Justice Mohd Yazid Mustafa allowed the students' judicial review application to quash UM's move, after it ruled that the disciplinary proceedings were not conducted according to procedure.