NEWS BREAK: University Malaya Students Association (PMUM) president Ammar Attan is facing the risk of expulsion by the university after his arrest with 15 other students during the #OccupyParliament sit-in in front of Parliament House last night.
"The university administration is considering to expel him after it was known that he was one of those arrested at the sit-in in front of Parliament," a source close to the matter told Theantdaily.
Lecturers from the third-year economic student's faculty are racing against time to try and head off his expulsion by building a case in his defence, highlighting his active and positive participation in university life as well as his good academic standing.
"He is a good student. With good results and always attends classes. He is only trying to help and do good for society. He shouldn't be punished," the source said.
In an immediate reaction, Global Movement of Moderates CEO Saifuddin Abdullah said that students, like any other Malaysian, have equal rights under the law.
This includes the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
"While there are grounds for action to be taken against students under the University and University Colleges Act 1971, I hope that the universities won't resort to such measures.
"The students were not doing anything unconstitutional," he said when met at a public forum in Petaling Jaya, tonight.
While there are other UM students involved in the sit-in, the source could not confirm if they are also facing the same fate.
As at press time, Theantdaily has not been able to confirm the possible expulsion with university authorities.
Ammar was arrested with 15 others student activists while participating in the #OccupyParliament sit-in last night, when police swooped in on their position and detained most of the protesters. Those detained were then transported to Jinjang police station.
The sit-in commenced yesterday afternoon, the student activists having pledged to keep their protest going until Prime Minister Najib Razak.
The students are reportedly being remanded for three days, and were arrested and investigated under Section 124B of the Penal Code for activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy. -Theantdaily.
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