“I missed out on years of studies because I voiced out my feelings against the government. I hope it will not happen to anyone again,” he told FMT.
He was commenting on Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Upsi) in Tanjung Malim, which recently lifted its five-year suspension against him and asked him to continue his studies from Sept 10.
The university said it had been informed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers that the courts had cleared him of wrongdoing.
This came after the Court of Appeal acquitted him of a sedition charge brought against him for a speech made a few days after Barisan Nasional won the 13th general election in 2013.
Adam was suspended by the university on Sept 6, 2013, following the sedition charge.
Before his suspension, Adam had led several student protests on various issues, including the National Higher Education Loan Fund (PTPTN).
“My family and I were so happy to receive the letter. It was almost like a happy ending. But I have lost five years.
“I was in the third year of my English Language degree when I was suspended, just because I voiced out what I felt against the government.”
Adam said he would need to discuss with his family if he should continue his studies as he is now a father with a nine-month-old son.
“Times have changed. When I was suspended, I was single and had no commitments. Now life has changed for me,” said the 29-year-old coordinator for Pengerak Community Muda in Penang.
He said he hoped the new government under Pakatan Harapan “would never ever do what the former government did” to him.
“I hope students will experience academic freedom. Allow universities to practise autonomy in their decisions.
“Stop the oppression of students pursuing higher studies.
“Students should not be barred from taking part in and being exposed to politics. Allow them exposure to real-life experiences and the opportunity to voice out their opinions.”
Adam also said he would continue discussions with the government on the provision of free university education as he believed this would be workable in the long run.