Universiti Malaya student leader Fahmi Zainol at the Academic Freedom and Future of Student Forum in Bangi, Selangor, yesterday. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, November 18, 2014.
Varsity student council leader Fahmi Zainol has submitted a written reply on Friday to the show-cause letter issued by the Public Services Department (PSD).
Met at the Islamic Education Complex in Bandar Baru Bangi last night, Fahmi said he had hand-delivered the reply to the PSD headquarters in Putrajaya.
"I also sent an email to PSD to explain the two charges which had been brought against me," he told The Malaysian Insider.
Fahmi, the Universiti Malaya Undergraduates' Association (PMUM) president, was slapped with two charges by the PSD in a letter dated November 6.
The first charge relates to the event involving de facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who gave a public address to UM students on October 27.
PSD said Fahmi had proceeded with the "40 Years: from UM to Prison" programme despite the UM administration declaring the event illegal.
The second charge relates to an article which appeared on The Malaysian Insider on October 26, for which Fahmi has been accused of criticising Putrajaya.
Fahmi was alleged to have made negative statements about Putrajaya by mentioning the Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong and the student revolution in Indonesia.
But, he said for the first charge, the UM administration only issued an official letter declaring the programme illegal at 6.08pm on October 27.
"The programme was declared illegal at the last minute. So, how was I supposed to call it off or cancel the event?" Fahmi told The Malaysian Insider.
The programme had been declared illegal by UM deputy vice-chancellor of student affairs Professor Datuk Dr Rohana Yusof, for the reason that it would “damage the image” of the university.
On the charge of criticising Putrajaya, Fahmi said he was merely stating two events which had occurred.
"The Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong did happen and was widely reported, as was the student reformasi in Indonesia," he said.
In its letter, the PSD said that by organising the talk, Fahmi had contravened conditions of his scholarship agreement.
Fahmi might be asked to "reimburse" the amount of his scholarship already disbursed to him if found guilty, the PSD letter also said.
The final-year student majoring in social administration and justice has been slapped with nine charges by the UM disciplinary panel.
"I do not understand how the PSD can issue a show cause letter to me when the Universiti Malaya disciplinary panel has yet to hear my case, let alone
punish me."
punish me."
Fahmi said the disciplinary hearing of the eight UM undergraduates, including himself, had been postponed to December 9.
"The postponement was announced by Professor Dr Zanariah Abdullah, who leads the three-man disciplinary panel," Fahmi said.
"No reason was given for the postponement, although I suppose it is to give both sides time to prepare their respective cases."
- TMI
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