The Malaysian Insider
6 November 2014
We, the undersigned individuals, call on University Malaya (UM) to drop the charges against student leader Fahmi Zainol and all other students pertaining to the forum entitled “Empat PuluhTahun Dari UM ke Penjara” which took place on campus on 27 October 2014.
We support the right of Persatuan Mahasiswa University Malaya(PMUM), as an elected bodyrepresenting UM students, to organise events on campus. Their choice of topic for the lecture is reflective of the currently debated issue within academia and society.
We laud the students’initiative in seeking knowledge and critical views in understanding this issue further. The choice of inviting a politician as a guest speaker is not extraordinary as the university regularly haspolitical leaders coming to speak on its campus.
We wish to also record our serious concern and raise objection to the series of actions taken byUM in the handling of this event. The university’s response raises serious concerns regarding the professionalism of its administrators and the institution’s commitment to academic integrity and intellectual freedom.
First, instead of respecting the elected student body’s autonomy in planning the event, theuniversity declared the programme illegal and claimed that it would tarnish the university’s image.
Second, on the day of the event, UM staff members were instructed to leave the campus early and classes were cancelled under the guise of electrical malfunction and safety concerns. Instead ofengaging in a discussion with the student organisers, the administrators used excuses of bad weather and electrical malfunction to block the students’ activity.
Third, heavy control of traffic through the gates impinged on students’ right to move freely, culminating with a lockdown at the KL gate side, unnecessarily creating a climate of tension. Wenote that while it is unfortunate there was property damage in the form of a broken lock and chain and a dent to the gate, this could easily have been avoided had the university allowed themovement of people and traffic instead of locking the gates and barricading the campus.
Fourth, after the event, instead of engaging the student leaders in a productive dialogue, theuniversity chose to slap them with up to nine disciplinary charges, as a means of punishment.
We urge the university to move away from treating its students in a punitive manner. We note theirony that in the mishandling of this event, it is the administration that is tarnishing the university’s image, not only nationally but also within the global academic community.
As a university that aspires to be a “leader in research and innovation”, the suppression of intellectual freedom and diversity of opinion is contradictory to this mission. In order to createan environment of innovation and creativity, students must be allowed space to be independent and critical thinkers. UM’s aspiration to be a world-class university can only be achieved if itstrives to produce creative thinkers, not timid followers.
Historically, UM has always been a dynamic space for campus activities and student activism.This space of academic freedom has produced some of our country’s most important leaders in many different fields and industries.
We urgently call on the UM management to respect and uphold academic freedom, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly of students and academics in this premier university.
We reiterate our call for UM to drop the charges against the eight students and begin dialogue between the university administration and staff and students, on this matter.
Thank you.
This petition is signed by 210 UM alumni, academicians and concerned individuals. The following are the signatories:
UM Alumni
1. Adibah, UM 2003
2. Amarjit Kaur FASSA, Emeritus Professor of Economic History, University of NewEngland, Australia; UM BA Hons 1971, MA 1974
3. Dr Arlene F Ngan, Endocrinologist, Academic staff University Malaya, FacultyMedicine 1973-1985
4. Carol Yong (Ooi Lin), UM 2000
5. Cecilia Ng, UM 1985
6. Chan Wei See, Faculty of Science, UM 2003
7. Chang Yii Tan, IPT, UM 1990
8. Chee Heng Leng, UM 1990 (PhD)
9. Dr. Chen Tuck Pew, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Anaesthesia, University of Otago, UM 1983.
10. Cheong Siew Chyuan, UM 1982 Civil Engineering
11. Chew Phye Keat, UM Law 1986
12. Dr Chong Yit Sean, Monash University Malaysia, UM 1999
13. Choo Wei Hoong, UM 2007
14. Choong Shaw Mei, UM 1986
15. Clarissa Lee Ai Ling, UM 2002
16. Dato’ Agatha Foo, Bachelor of Arts, UM 1984
17. Dato Dr Amar Singh HSS, Consultant Paediatrician, UM 1983
18. Dato Dr Toh Kin Woon, UM 1971, 1982
19. Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee, UM 1978
20. Dr David Quek, UM 1979
21. Din Merican, Research Fellow, Malaysian Institute of Economic Research, UM Classof 1963
22. Evan Ngow, B.Ed.TESL Hons, UM 1997
23. Firdaus Husni, UM 2009
24. Gan Pei Boon, UM 1998
25. Gan Pei Fern, UM 2007
26. Geraldine Sebastian, UM 2007
27. Dr Greg Lopez, Murdoch University, UM 1992 / 1996
28. Dr Helen Ting, UM 1989
29. Henry Loh Kee Wey, Penang Women Development Corporation, UM Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) 1984
30. Ivy Josiah, UM 1980
31. Jacqueline Ann Surin, UM 1994
32. Janarthani Arumugam, UM FASS 2002
33. John Chung, UM 2000
34. Joseph Paul, UM FEA 1973
35. Jullie Lim, (Econs) UM 1984
36. Karen Phang, UM 2005
37. Khoo Kay Peng, UM FEA 1997
38. Dr KJ John, UM 1972
39. Lee Kee Hoon, UM1982
40. Leonard Foo Tet Seong, UM 1973
41. Dr Leong Choong Kheong, UM 1983
42. Dr. Lim Joo Kiong, UM 1983
43. Lim Mah Hui, City Councillor of Penang Island, UM 1969
44. Lim Pao Li, UM 1972
45. Lim Swee lm, UM 1976/1981, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya
46. Dr Lim Teck Ghee, UM 1968
47. Dr Linda Teoh, Consultant ophthalmologist, Tun Hussein Eye Hospital, UM 1983
48. Dr Mary Cardosa, Consultant Anaesthesiologist, UM 1983.49. Mary Suma Cardosa, UM 1983
50. Dr Melvin Kandasamy, UM 2000
51. Dr Misbah Ismail, UM Medical Faculty (1983)
52. Mohala Santharamohana, UM 1994
53. Mohd Akhir Bin Salleh, UM 1975
54. Nur Azrine Abdul Razak, UM 2005
55. Nurul Natasha Abdullah Sani, UM Law 2013
56. Ooi Lay Geen, UM 2009
57. Pathma Letchumanan, UM 2010
58. Patrick Koo, UM Law 1983
59. Prof Madya Dr Tan Eng Lee, Universiti Malaya 1978-2000)
60. Rafidah Abdullah, UM 2000
61. Sasikala Nair, UM 1982
62. Sean Ong Seng Leong, UM 2005
63. Sharon Sundlas, UM 2002
64. Soo Jin Hui, UM 1999
65. Stephen Law Fook Choy, UM 1981
66. Tan Lee Peng, UM 1969
67. Dr Tan Ooi Hong, UM 1991
68. Dr Teh Ban Hup, Class of 78/83 Medical faculty
69. Vinesh Prabhu Naidu, UM 2001
70. Voon Phin Keong UM 1965
71. Wong Pui Yi, UM 2009
72. Dr Wong Soak Koon, UM BA (Hons) 1971, Dip Ed 1973, MA 1975
73. Wong yan kheong, UM1982
74. Wong Yuen Yee, UM 1999
75. Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, MP for Beruas, UM 1985
76. Yoong Yan Pin, retired CEO United Overseas Bank Malaysia, MU 1966
Malaysian academics
77. Ahmad Fuad Rahmat, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Nottingham University Malaysia Campus
78. Dr Andrew Aeria, University Malaysia Sarawak
79. Ang Sze Wei, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Hong Kong
80. Assistant Prof. Leong Kar Yen, Tamkang University, Taiwan
81. Assistant Professor Dr Fadzilah Din, International Islamic University Malaysia
82. Assoc. Prof, Dr Ng Swee Choon, University Tungku Abdul Rahman, UM 1975(Faculty of Medicine)
83. Associate Professor Dr Sharmani Patricia Gabriel, University of Malaya
84. Dr Azmi Sharom, Faculty of Law, University of Malaya
85. Boon Kia Meng, Kyoto University
86. Dr Chan Chee Khoon, Center for Poverty & Development Studies, University of Malaya
87. Dr Charis Quay Huei Li, Université Paris-Sud, France.
88. Dr Cheong Kee Cheok, Senior Research Fellow, UM & UM Class of 1967
89. Dahlia Martin, Flinders University
90. Dr Diana Wong, Former Visiting Professor, Kanita, USM
91. Evelyn Tang, MIT (USA)
92. Dr Francis Loh, President, Aliran; Professor (retired 2013), University Sains Malaysia
93. Goh Chun Fan, Carnegie Mellon University
94. Ho Seng Tat, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
95. Dr Isham Pawan Ahmad, International Islamic University
96. Jaanah, Faculty of Law, University of Malaya
97. Dr Jeff Tan, Associate Professor, Aga Khan University (International) in the United Kingdom
98. Johan Saravanamuttu, Lecturer & Professor, USM (1976-2006); Visiting SeniorResearch Fellow, ISEAS (2006-2014)
99. Kamal Solhaimi, University of Malaya
100. Keith Chin Wei Jun, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York.
101. Khoo Boo Teik, Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo
102. Khoo Gaik Cheng, University of Nottingham
103. Khoo Teng Jian, University of Cambridge
104. Koh Sin Yee, City University of Hong Kong
105. Lai Suat Yan, University Malaya
106. Law Tzuo Hann, University of Pennsylvania
107. Lee Chee Horng, UM 1981
108. Dr Lee Hwok Aun, University of Malaya
109. Lee Kiong Hock, University of Malaya (retired professor)
110. Maimuna Merican, UM
111. Mustafa Kamal Anuar, Penang Institute
112. Nor Faridah Abdul Manaf,IIUM
113. Dr Ong Kian Ming, Lecturer, UCSI University & Member of Parliament for Serdang, DAP
114. Ooi Heng, Kajian Politik untuk Perubahan
115. Ooi Teik Khim, Singapore Institute of Management
116. Prof Wan Manan, Malaysian Academic Movement (MOVE)
117. Profesor Madya Dr Tan Eng Lee (Universiti Malaya 1978-2000)
118. Professor Terence Gomez, University of Malaya
119. Professor Zaharom Nain, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
120. Rachel Gong, Stanford University
121. Rosli H Mahat, Universiti Malaya
122. Rosli Omar, Associate Professor (retired 2012), Universiti Malaya
123. Dr Rusaslina Idrus, University of Malaya
124. Dr Subramaniam Pillay, Associate Professor, Taylor’s University
125. Sumit Mandal, independent scholar
126. Tan Beng Hui, PhD, Universiti Malaya
127. Dr Tan Meng Yoe, Monash University Malaysia
128. Teo Lee Ken, National University of Singapore
129. Dr Tim Mak, University of Cambridge
130. TMB Krishnan. Swinburne University of Technology
131. Dr Yeoh Seng Guan, Monash University Malaysia
132. Yuwana Podin, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
International academics
133. Dr Andrew Filmer, Universiti Putra Malaysia
134. Dr Bridget Welsh, Senior Research Fellow, Center for East Asia Democracy, National Taiwan University
135. Dr Claire Marrache-Kikuchi, Universite Paris Sud, France
136. Dr Pascal Lederer, Université Paris Sud, Campus d’Orsay, France
137. Dr Tessa Houghton, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
138. Associate Professor Meredith Weiss, State University of New York at Albany
139. Daniel Esteve, Research director at CEA Saclay, France
140. Mallisa Corbert, Monash University Melbourne
Concerned individuals
141. Dr Abdul Halim Yusof, Kelantan Coalition of NGOs
142. Al-Mustaqeem Mahmod Radhi, Lingkaran Islam Tradisional
143. Anas Alam Faizli, Author, ‘Rich Malaysia, Poor Malaysians’
144. Anil Netto, anilnetto.com
145. Anne Lasimbang, PACOS Trust
146. Bala Chelliah
147. Cheang Mun Leng @ Lynn Teo, Anak Bangsa Malaysia.
148. Cheng Eng Aun
149. Chew Yoke Kuan
150. Chow Chee Keong, MEd, MBA, BSc., principal, The Learning Garden
151. Chuah Siew Eng, USM 1992
152. Chung Sooi Chin
153. Clare Rewcastle-Brown
154. Diana Talit, Anak Malaysia
155. Fadih Nadwa Fikri
156. Faribel Maglin, Pusat Komas
157. Dr Gobinder Singh, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Past President, MalaysianOrthopaedic Association158. Honey Tan Lay Ean, lawyer
159. Jannie Lasimbang, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS)
160. Jasbir Singh
161. Jason Tan, freelance journalist
162. Jayanath Appudurai , University of Singapore, 1973
163. Jean Yap
164. Kalei Joethi Sahadevan
165. Lee Hong Jin
166. Lee King Yi
167. Lee Lin Yi
168. Lee Wei San, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
169. Leong Siew Shen
170. Leong Wai Kuan
171. Liang Phing, Anak Malaysia
172. Lim Chuan Yang, alumni UNMC 2014
173. Maria Chin Abdullah, Chairperson. BERSIH 2.0
174. Mark Bujang, Executive Director, BRIMAS
175. Mary Soh, Anak Bebas Malaysia
176. Mary Tan
177. Masjaliza Hamzah, journalist/human rights activist
178. Meera Samanther
179. Molly Khoo
180. Ong Guan Sin, business owner
181. Paramjeet Singh, air transport pilot/property developer, London UK
182. Poo Kok Chong
183. Praveen Nagappan, SABM Australia
184. py wong, tindakmalaysia
185. Satish Chand Bhandari, retired education officer
186. See-See Leong
187. Seet Ping, Secretary, Himpunan Hijau
188. Shamini Flint, author, Malaysian
189. Dr Sharifah Halimah Jaafar, Consultant O&G, UKM Alumni
190. Shaun Tan Zhi Ming
191. Suri Kempe, Sisters in Islam
192. Susanna George, social activist
193. Syahredzan Johan
194. Synna Ong
195. Tan Hui Chun, Humanity Library,KL
196. Tan Pek Leng, Aliran & Women’s Centre for Change
197. Tashia Peterson
198. Tee Fung Ching
199. Tham Siew Choon, UPM 2003
200. Thomas Fann, ENGAGE
201. Thong kok wai, MPSR
202. V L Kandan
203. Wong Ee Lynn
204. Wong Sui Pin
205. Yap Swee Seng, executive director, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
206. Yeow Ai Lin, WAO
207. Yim Fen
208. Yin Shao Loong, Institut Rakyat
209. Dr. Yolanda Augustin
210. Zainah Anwar
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