Justice for USM Student the Victim of UUCA sign now

Letter of Concern

On the Case of Soh Sook Hwa Facing Repression by University Authorities


We, the students of Malaysian Catholic Students Council and the signatories express our strongest concern on the case of Soh Sook Hwa, a final year student of University of Science Malaysia (USM) who is facing an expulsion threat from the authorities of the University of Science Malaysia (USM). After the hearing on the 24 November she is has been given first admonition and penalize for RM200.

We are alarmed that Soh Sook Hwa is being subjected to such repression by the USM administration for allegedly taking part in the 11th General Elections last March and thereby breaching a stipulation on the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) which prohibits involvement, show of support, sympathy or opposition to any political party, union or organization without prior permission from Vice Chancellor.

We believe that the right to express ones opinions and thoughts and the freedom of association is a fundamental human right elevated in Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments, as a landmark to the recognition and reign of democracy in any locality and nation.

We strongly urge the authorities of the University of Science Malaysia to stop the penalization of Soh Sook Hwa with the use of the regulations and act like University and University Colleges Act and any further action that would blatantly undermine her right to freedom of expression and freedom of association. We also strongly urge on the USM authority to ensure the civil liberties of the student are respected and protected
and stop harassing students to exercise their fundamental liberties by using the repressive UUCA.

Furthermore, we urge the government of Malaysia to repeal the University and University Colleges Act and other repressive regulations that stifle academic freedom and attacks civil liberties of the students in Malaysia. Students and the youth are the future of the nation and their voice must be safeguarded.