(Kuala Lumpur, Saturday): YPSEA is very concerned about the intimidation and harrassment carried out by the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)’s ‘pro-establishment’ student council members towards independent student body, the Student Progressive Front.

YPSEA condemns the irrational behaviour of the student committee for it has not only threatened campus security, but also brought shame to the university's reputation.

On and date, dozens of the ‘pro-establishment’ students - backed by campus authorities - had manhandled fellow students perceived to be from the rival ‘independent’ camp. On both occasions, the ‘independent camp’ students -- the Student Progressive Front (SPF) -- were setting up a ‘help counter’ at the campus canteen to assist freshies when they were stopped by pro-establishment students who pushed, scolded and taunted them in a rough manner. The ‘pro-establishment’ students also showed the SPF members the finger and displayed other rude signs.

University is supposed to be a place where students learn, have meaningful exchange and grow. The university’s student council should lead by example, and strive to look after the students’ welfare – rather than bullying them. Regrettably, the dreadful behaviors displayed by the student council have destroyed its own image.

YPSEA is shocked to find out that the security personnel at the scene neither prevented nor interfered with the wrongdoings by the student council members, and that the troublemakers were not punished for their actions. The Night Chancellor merely called on the two groups of students to shake hands in a ‘PR show’ meant for press consumption. Unfortunately, none of the parties at the press conference were SPF representatives!

YPSEA welcomes the investigation ordered by the Higher Education Minister of Malaysia but is concerned about the independence and fairness of the investigation. In order to enhance the credibility of the investigation, extracurricular public figures and NGO representatives should be invited to participate in the process. More importantly, the guilty parties should be charged for their irresponsible actions.

Such intimidation should not happen again as university authorities must provide a safe and comfortable environment for students. YPSEA urges UPM to relax its rules and regulations, so that students are free to organize dialogues among its student groups to avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts in the future.

YPSEA is a regional youth organization aimed at creating political exchange and communication in order to promote democracy, equality and concerns about human rights issues in South-east Asia. It was officially founded on 10^th July 2006 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Its membership consists of 11 youth groups from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. Burma and Timor Leste currently have observer status.

Current YPSEA EXCO members are Jenice Lee Ying Ha (Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth - DAPSY), Tarn (Student Federation of Thailand) and Wilson Requez (Student Council Alliance of the Philippines and the coordinator for YPSEA). Member groups from Malaysia include Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY), Malaysia Student Movement (DEMA) and Pergerakan Rakyat Progresif Demokratik  (PRODEM).

Reports on the issue can be found at:

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/54100

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/54242 (includes link to recording of the incident)

(29/07/2006)