UUCA case: Constitutional rights taken away

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Four Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) students, Muhammad Hilman bin Idham, Muhammad Ismail bin Aminuddin, Azlin Shafina Mohamad Adzha and Woon King Chai are second year Political Science students from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) who have been charged by university authorities because they were found to be in the vicinity of the Hulu Selangor by-election and allegedly "showing support, sympathy or opposition" towards political parties in Malaysia.

They are required to attend university disciplinary proceedings which will be held at the Bilik Mesyuarat Canselori UKM from 2 to 3 June next month. These four student has been charged under the University and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) for allegedly expressing their political views openly.

From the facts we had gathered on these four students, it has been confirmed that the purpose of their presence in the Hulu Selangor by-election recently was to conduct their academic studies, research and observation on their capacity as students from the political science faculty. Just because the authorities found them to be accompanied by a member of a contesting political party does not mean that they had shown their support to a particular political ideology or campaigning in the by-election.

We want to ask the police and the UKM authorities, did they really conduct an actually supposed to be investigation into the facts and gather whatever evidence it have to charge all these poor and innocent students?

The way these authorities threatened those students with the UUCA charges had in actual fact that they are trying to wage their anger onto the opposition coalition by making these students who happened to be observing the activities of the opposition (for their academic research and studies) as scapegoats.

Article 119 of Federal Constitution in Malaysia specifically states that every citizens above the age of 21 is qualified to vote, which is a form of expression and participation in politics. Thus, the provisions under Section 15(5)(a) of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (1971), which disallows students from expressing support and participating in politics, is in direct contradiction with the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

Therefore, should any laws or provisions under an Act is found to be in contravene with the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, then the later as the supreme foundation of the nation should be taken into account to supersede whatever law or provisions that undermines the basic needs of our human rights.

We hereby urge the UKM authorities as well as the ministry of higher education to stop all these foolish acts and unbecoming negative elements or else efforts in improving the standings of the university rankings through academic achievements will be just another day dream for you.

The international community is watching you!

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