Cops to quiz Umany chief over comments on matriculation tomorrow

Police have summoned Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) president Tang Yi Ze over his statement on the matriculation programme.

In a press advisory, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) said Tang (above) will give his statement at the Wangsa Maju district police headquarters at 2pm tomorrow.

"The investigation is under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, for statements conducive to public mischief, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, for improper use of network facilities," it said.

It added that Tang will be accompanied by his lawyer Zaid Malek, who is also LFL's director.

Section 505(b) carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, while Section 233 provides for a fine of up to RM500,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both.

On Sept 18, police recorded a statement from Malaysiakini journalist Shakira Buang over the article quoting Tang, in which he urged the Higher Education Ministry to abolish the matriculation programme and adopt STPM as the sole qualification for public university entry.

Umany has since apologised, explaining that it had used the wrong term in suggesting a merger with the STPM exam.

Previously, on Sept 12, Umany submitted a memorandum to the Higher Education Ministry highlighting the proposal as the most effective way to address concerns over admission quotas.

The memorandum was submitted in response to media reports on STPM leaver Edward Wong, who scored a 4.0 CGPA in the examination and aspired to be an accountant, only to be rejected by six public universities.

Amnesty International Malaysia has slammed the police probe into Umany, reminding Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of his promise to protect student voices.

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