By Alycia Lim

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) students feel they should not be penalised for speaking up for their welfare.

Malaysia Youth and Student Democratic Movement (Dema) coordinator Lau Wai Seng and other representatives claimed that it was unreasonable for the UUM students to be charged under the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU).

"We strongly condemn the action by UUM as the students have not done anything wrong," Lau told a media conference yesterday.

Final-year students Choo Kok Wei and Medecci Lineil Repong are facing action under the Act for their involvement in an online petition against higher bus fares on campus.

On Jan 3, the bus company in UUM issued a notice on the upgrading of the university's E-bus system and a fare increase from Jan 17.

Another student, Tengku Mohd Hasrul Tengku Malek, is in trouble for voicing his opinion about the university's deputy vice-chancellor with regard to the same matter.

Choo and Medecci have since been charged with planning a protest in the online media and releasing a press statement regarding the bus fare issue in UUM, while Tengku Mohd Hasrul received a letter from the disciplinary board on Feb 25.

The university will hold a disciplinary hearing for the three students on Monday.

Also present at the press conference were representatives from Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas, Youth and Student Coalition, Suara Rakyat Malaysia and Kumpulan Aktivis Mahasiswa Indipenden.

They urged university students to send in an urgent appeal to the authorities to drop all charges against the three, disclose the contract between UUM and the bus company, and to abolish AUKU.

UUM authorities were not available for comment. --The Star/Asia News Network

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