UM8 face expulsion for ‘organising’ talk by Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Eiglht University Malaya students who are currently facing the Disciplinary Panel may be expelled from the university on allegations of organising and participating in the “40 Years: From University of Malaya to Jail” talk by Anwar Ibrahim.
One of the eight, Haw Yu Hong told the media today that all involved may be found guilty which makes expulsion or suspension a real possibility.
He also said that should that happen, he found it unfair, given that freedom of speech and expression was guaranteed in the Federal Constitution for everyone.
“And thus, we will appeal to the UM’s Appeal Panel for all the charges, and if convicted, which is a great injustice, we will go to the court,” he said.
Fahmi Zainol, now ex-president of the Student Representative Council of UM claimed that the Disciplinary Panel’s evidence to support the accusation over the course of three hours was not specific but based on excerpts of local newspapers.
“A total of four witnesses all of whom were UM security guards was called up and even they could not verify who actually took the pictorial evidence that suggests our involvement that night.
“What is even weirder is that we are called up to face the charge proceedings without giving us enough time to prepare our defence, which I find disappointing,” Fahmi told reporters after the proceedings today.
University Malaya Regulation 53 (Discipline of Students) 1999 specifies that if the accused does not plead guilty, the university will submit its evidence to the accused.
The proceeding continued at 2.30 this afternoon, and the verdict was expected by tonight.
The panel consist of three officers, led by Dean of Science Faculty, Dr Zanariah Abdullah, with each one of the accused being investigated individually.
Other than Fahmi and Yu hing, six other accused include Khairul Najib Hashim, Abraham Au, Khairul Anwar, Safwan Shamsudin, Adam Fistival Wilfrid, and Syamimi Munirah.
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