PAS is at the final stage of resolving the controversy surrounding the suspension of five Kolej Universiti Insaniah (Kuin) students and hoped the matter would not be brought to court, said PAS president Hadi Awang.

At a press conference after chairing the PAS central committee meeting today, Hadi said he already met Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, the students’ lawyer Hanipa Maidin and the campus officials.

He said all parties agreed to resolve the matter amicably.

"We have reached some positive resolution, and we hope to do an announcement as soon as possible... God willing, the case won't be brought to the court," he said.

Kuin, a state-run institution in Alor Setar, had courted controversy when it initially cited the much criticised Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) to suspend the five students.

The quintet were suspended in May last year for objecting to the institution’s intention to convert a residential college building into a facility for Quranic studies.

Critics have said Azizan had failed to adhere to Pakatan Rakyat’s policy document, better known as the Buku Jingga, which promises more freedoms for students.

Azizan, who is the school chairperson, later cited the Private Higher Education Institute Act 1996 (Act 555) as the law used against the students.

Meanwhile, Hadi refused comment when asked if the Kedah government would recognise Pakatan’s anti-UUCA position.

Student group Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) is planning to hold a major rally in front of Kedah government headquarters should Azizan fails to retract all his pro-UUCA statements made recently.