KOTA KINABALU: Two Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students face a disciplinary hearing for their alleged participation in the Bersih 5 public rally last November, The Daily Express reported today.
If found guilty, they could be fined RM200, face a suspension or even expulsion.
UMS had issued a letter to Nurul Aqilah Mohamad Zainuzi and Mumin Nantang on their date for the disciplinary hearing.
“If I get suspended, I will use the break to do a roadshow with other student activists at university campuses throughout Sabah.
“We want to make them aware of their rights,” Nurul Aqilah said in response to the letter from her university.
The UM letter and Nurul Aqilah’s comments were posted in a Bersih KK5 whatsApp group chat on Thursday.
The letter signed by UMS Law and Integrity Department head Awang Suhaizam Bungso accused the duo of attending an illegal public rally.
“Your failure to obey a circular, distributed on Nov 18, barring any UMS student from participating in an illegal gathering, has threatened your position as a university student,” the letter read.
The letter referred to a university policy barring students from joining activities deemed “immoral and a nuisance to public order and safety” whether in or outside the campus.
Nurul Aqilah, a final year Islamic Finance student, defended her presence at the Bersih 5 rally. She said that UMS was labelling the nationwide event as “dangerous and illegal” to justify its circular.
She demanded that UMS provide proof that Bersih 5 in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu were declared illegal by any court in the country.
“The charge against us and the circular becomes irrelevant if it cannot provide any proof,” Nurul Aqilah said.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) is not a judge, she reminded.
She was referring to the IGP being quoted in the media as saying that Bersih 5 did not abide by the guidelines under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA).
She hopes that UMS would not rely on the IGP’s statement during the disciplinary hearing against her and her varsity mate.