By Malaysiakini
The Court of Appeal today upheld the decision by the Shah Alam High Court that ruled Universiti Malaya did not follow procedures in suspending and imposing a fine on five of its student leaders for organising and participating in a 2014 rally, featuring former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
The five former students were former Persatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya (PMUM) president Fahmi Zainol and his then-committee members Safwan Shamsuddin, Adam Fistivil Wilfrid, Haw Yu Hong and Khairol Najib Hashim.
The university took action on them as they helped organised “Pidato Umum Anwar Ibrahim: Dari Universiti Malaya Ke Penjara“, where the students stormed the gate and marched to Dewan Tunku Canselor.
Fahmi and Safwan were suspended by the university while the others were fined.
It was reported last year that Shah Alam High Court judge Justice Mohd Yazid Mustafa allowed the students’ judicial review application to quash the board’s decision after it ruled that the disciplinary proceedings were not conducted in accordance with the UM disciplinary rules (Kaedah-Kaedah Universiti Malaya Tatatertib Pelajar-Pelajar 1997).
Justice David Wong Dak Wah, who led the bench with judges Justice Zakaria Sam and Justice Zabariah Mohd Yusof also directed UM to pay RM2,000 costs.
It further ruled that when the UM disciplinary board met with the appeals board on the students’ appeal, it was done without the students’ presence.
The five were represented by counsel New Sin Yew.
When contacted by Malaysiakini, New confirmed the unanimous decision by the appellate court.
Fahmi in a posting today also expressed his relief that the Court of Appeal held that the decision made by UM on them did not follow procedure.
The former student leader thanked his lawyers from AmerBON, Advocates for supporting them as it had been three years since the matter and justice had now been served.
Adam described today’s decision as a victory for all university students and student activism.
