Second-year computer science student Lee Song Yong has been involved in a protracted battle with Universiti Putra Malaysia to get back a notebook that security personnel confiscated on Aug 22.

At a press conference on campus today, he related details of the incident and said he has since been summoned to face disciplinary proceedings on Monday for allegedly 'obstructing' security guards from performing their duty.

Lee, who received a letter from campus authorities on Wednesday, is contesting the order on the basis of insufficient notice. He submitted a letter to the student affairs division today, seeking a postponement and for his lawyer to represent him during the inquiry.

Explaining why he is in trouble, Lee said he was leaving the campus on the night of Aug 22 when he was stopped by security guards at the exit.

"They said they had to check my bag for some illegal posters. When I refused to hand over my bag, they made a phone call and three men came and confiscated my bag," he said.

"I did not want to give it to them because these men were not in uniform and also refused to produce their identification cards. But one man pulled my bag, while the others restricted my movements. They also used vulgar words on me."

They succeeded in taking his bag which contained his university identification (ID) card and the notebook, he said, adding that he immediately went to Sri Serdang police station to lodge a report.

There, he was told that the men were actually university security officials. Police also advised him to claim the missing items from the university authorities, but he only managed to retrieve his ID card.

Lee's notebook was withheld on grounds that he was being investigated for being a member of an illegal organisation.

It was only later that he found out that the 'posters' to which the guards had referred were linked to an alleged scandal involving a senior campus official.

'Terrible joke'

Lee's lawyer Sunil Lopez, who was at the press conference, described it as a "terrible joke" to call for disciplinary proceedings at such a short notice.

"We're seeking an adjournment because it is too short notice (for me) to look into the charges. Furthermore, I cannot represent Lee unless I get authorisation from the university," he said.

Asked what consequences Lee may face, Lopez said: "It could be as little as a fine, or even expulsion or suspension. But even a fine is of dire consequence to my client."

Malaysian Graduates Solidarity vice-president Ridhuan Osman and student movement Dema administration secretary Simon Ooi, who were there to lend support, noted that several incidents involving UPM officials have been recorded to date.

"We strongly feel that this proceeding must not take place because it will only pave the way for many more unwarranted incidents. This will make it easy for officers to break rules and do things without following procedures," said Ooi.

"Also, the Universities and University Colleges Act must be abolished because it gives a lot of power to a university to do what it pleases."

Yet-to-be-registered Socialist Party of Malaysia pro-tem secretary-general S Arutchelvan expressed disappointment with the university for "not acting professionally" when it received Lee's letter.

He said deputy vice-chancellor Prof Tai Shzee Wer was wrong in informing Lee that there would be no postponement, even without reading the letter.

"That's not right," said Aruthchelvan, who had accompanied Lee to the meeting with Tai.

UPM corporate communication officer Abdullah Arshad, ( photo ) who was also present during that meeting, later told reporters that the university would have to look into Lee's appeal before making any decision.

Lee's situation is similar to that of first-year student Yee Yang Yang, whose belongings were confiscated in July. Yee was accused of circulating posters of an illegal organisation, but eventually managed to get back his possessions.

Watch the 4-minute video here.