On Dec 17, 500 students from various universities marched to the Umno headquarters at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, demanding greater academic freedom and called for the repeal of the controversial Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) which curtails the freedom of expression of students both in and out of campus.
At the protest, Adam, a second-year student at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), had lowered a flag bearing Prime Minister Najib Razak’s portrait to replace it with a flag which bears the words ‘Academic Freedom’. Reports said the protest flag was raised for five minutes, taken down and the flag with the PM’s face was raised again. Many Umno supporters denounced the action, targeting their fierce criticism at Adam.
Since then, Adam has been attacked and threatened by some group of individuals via sms, phone calls and videos. On Dec 19, Adam lodged a police report at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in regard to the said harassment including threats to his personal safety. After speaking to police officials about the harassment, he held a press conference at the entrance to the Bukit Aman headquarters.
A minor scuffle broke out, during which an unidentified man who later introduced himself to be Ruslan Mokhtar tried to punch Adam. Adam suspected that the assailant was a plainclothes policeman who was present when Adam met with the police officers earlier. He also noted that none of the uniformed personnel tried to break the scuffle.
He lodged a report with the Tun HS Lee police station in regard to the scuffle as well as the harassment he and his family in Penang are facing.
In view of the above, Suaram urges for:
1 An Immediate Investigation on threats against Adam Adli:
His symbolic gesture of lowering the flag does not harm anyone and it is a constitutional right of freedom of expression enshrined under the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. The police must investigate Adam’s report on the assault against him and charge the assailant if there is evidence of wrongdoing, notwithstanding that he is a former policeman.
2 A guarantee for Adam’s safety and well-being.
Given the multiple threats against him and well-documented in the media and on social media platforms, the police must take steps to ensure he and his family is free from harm.
3 A stop to any action taken against student protestors.
We urge the UPSI and other university/colleges to stop any further threat of action against Adam and other student activists who participated in the march on Dec 17. The students assembled peacefully and did not resort to any form of violence.
4 The media to practice journalism ethics.
Media’s role is to inform readers by giving accurate information, not through reporting of one-sided versions of events with no right of reply for the person accused of a wrongdoing.
5 A repeal of the UUCA.
The government must recognise students’ right to participate in the democratic processes and any right guaranteed to all under the Malaysian Constitution. It must also bear the primary responsibility of ensuring that acts of intimidation and violence against student activists are not tolerated and perpetrators will be punished under the law.
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