There were about 20 of them coming from University of Malaya, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and private college.
I, together with several elected representatives, have received the memorandum on behalf of DAP and Pakatan Rakyat.
25 university students have been taken disciplinary action by their universities since the beginning of 2014 for various reasons, such as attending public assembly, holding “No TPPA” placards, writing anti-GST comment on facebook, etc.
I call upon the universities to drop the disciplinary proceeding with immediate effect.
Freedom of assembly and right of expression is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. University and college students are also members of the public and are fully entitled to the freedoms that are afforded by the Federal Constitution. It is unconstitutional for the universities to penalise the students for holding placards, posting their views on facebook, organising or taking part in a peaceful assembly.
The provisions in the Educational Institutions (Discipline of Students) Rules 1976 are rather out-dated and it’s time for the Parliament to review it.
For example:
Rule 9 – students are prohibited from organising any assembly of more than 5 persons without the prior approval of the university.
Rule 10 – No student shall use or have in his or its possession any loud-speaker, loud-hailer, amplifier, or other similar appliance.
Rule 11 – No student shall make, exhibit or display any banner, poster or placards.
Rule 15 – No student shall make any public statement to any public officer or press.
All these provisions are very out-dated and a review is needed urgently.
I call upon the Parliament to set up a select committee so that members of Parliament from the Government and the Opposition can work together to review the University and University Colleges Act and other provisions.