Public universities in this country do not welcome the presence of Human Rights of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioners during campus elections.

And this leads commissioner N Siva Subramaniam to question if these universities have something to hide?

"Suhakam can go to any restricted place in this country, even to army camps and police lock-ups but are not allowed into universities. It gives rise to the doubt that they have something to hide?" he said.

However, he stressed that the human rights watchdog would not be deterred by this. He vowed that Suhakam would observe future campus elections seriously.

Subramaniam said this after receiving a report submitted by student organisations - Solidariti Mahasiswa Mahasiswa Malaysia ( SMM ) and Gabungan Anak Muda dan Pelajar ( GAMP ) - at the commission's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The commissioner said the time has come for the Education Ministry to approve greater democratic rights for students restrained by the much criticised Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA).

"The base of democracy and freedom should begin in universities to build strong leaders and an united community system," he added.

Positive response

Siva said he would raise the issue with Higher Education Minister Mustapha Mohamad.

"Previously, we tried a few times to meet the former higher education minister (Dr Shafie Salleh) but failed. The new minister (Mustapha) reacted positively when I called him personally (regarding the issue). So we believe he can pave the way for a better solution," he added.

The last campus elections was fraught with allegations of tampering and intimidation. Campus politics are divided between students seen as 'pro-establishment' and 'anti-establishment'.

According to Siva, Suhakam was also reviewing the restrictive aspects of the UUCA. He stressed that the commission always gave importance to students and would go all out to remedy their problems.

"Before this nobody come to support students when Suhakam fought for them. But now, more people are talking about the problems faced by students. This will help Suhakam go further in this issue," he said.

Meanwhile, the report by SMM and GAMP contained complaints over the 'unfair' campus polls last year, infringement of student rights as well as the 'ISA 7' case.

Earlier, around 80 students marched from Jalan Mashid India to the Suhakam office in Menara Tun Razak.

The students carried banners that called for greater democratic space in campuses and the abolishment of the UUCA. They also chanted slogans like 'student power' while passing motorists honked in support.