A Universiti Sains Malaysia student who was found guilty of selling anti-ISA badges on campus grounds will know his fate in the university after his final-year examination.

Choo Chon Kai, a third-year chemistry student in USM, faced a disciplinary committee at the university last Thursday.

The committee which consisted of academic staff and Student Affairs deputy vice-chancellor Assoc Prof Jamaluddin Mohaiadin, found Choo guilty after deliberating on the matter for two hours.

However, they informed Choo that he will be notified of his punishment after his final exam on Sept 28.

"I was found guilty of selling anti-ISA badges to USM staff, for pasting an anti-ISA poster in the Chinese Language Society's meeting room, and for having anti-ISA badges on me on the June 8," said Choo.

"The three charges against me are ridiculous and I do not know how this can be related to creating a disturbance on campus as they had accused me of," Choo said.

Appeal

He said that the badges were to show that the repressive Internal Security Act was a violation of human rights and had nothing to do with any political party.

"The disciplinary board kept insisting that students could not show their sympathies to political parties," he added.

Choo told malaysiakini that he had been charged under the university students' code of conduct and could face possible suspension or expulsion, threatening his chances of graduation.

"I will appeal against the judgment but only after receiving an official letter from the university," Choo said.

He could not understand why the university had not told him what actions will be taken against him.

Student movements are also hampered by the restrictive Universities and University Colleges Act which limits the involvement of students in politics.

Last June seven local university students were arrested for alleged involvement in an illegal assembly protesting the detention of 10 reformasi and Keadilan leaders under the ISA.