Seven former university students - dubbed the ISA 7 - will submit a representation to Attorney-General (AG) Abdul Gani Patail to seek a withdrawal of charges for illegal assembly.

PAS Youth deputy information chief Abdullah A Karim said the seven decided to do this following the AG’s decision to withdraw the attempted murder charge against 31 individuals.

The 31 were arrested in connection with the Nov 25 rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

“If the prime minister and AG can show ‘empathy and compassion’ to the Hindraf 31, what is stopping them from showing the same towards the ISA 7?” asked Abdullah in a statement today.

On Monday, AG Abdul Gani Patail dropped the attempted murder charge against the 31 following a directive by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to “consider” a written representation by the detainees.

Abdul Gani also dropped all charges against five students among the group, while the remaining 25 pleaded guilty to causing mischief and illegal assembly in Batu Caves.

According to the prime minister, the 31, in their written representation to the AG last week, had expressed regret over their actions and promised never to participate in illegal activities in the future.

University expulsion

Meanwhile, the ISA 7 were charged with participating in an illegal assembly at the National Mosque in 2001, where a demonstration against the Internal Security Act was taking place.

The PAS Youth leader said the ISA 7 had suffered as they were expelled from their respective universities based on Section 15 D (1) of the Universities and University Colleges Act while the trial was pending.

He added that the seven had to endure a lengthy court case between 2001 and 2005, but were not called to enter defence by the Magistrate’s Court.

Following this, the AG successfully appealed to the High Court for the decision to be overturned and the seven entered defence in 2005. The case was last heard yesterday and has been postponed to Jan 26 next year.

“If the Hindraf 31 can have their charge for attempted murder dropped, the same should be accorded to the ISA 7 where the accused were only said to be involved in an illegal assembly where no one was hurt,” said the PAS Youth leader.