Support for the five Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) students who have been hauled up by the university's authorities for having allegedly breached the university's disciplinary code is growing steadily.

Malaysia Students Solidarity (SMM) consisting of several student groups today called on the newly-appointed Higher Education Minister Mustapa Mohamed to intervene and drop the charges against the students.

"SMM places high hopes on Mustapa to restore the confidence of students, academicians and Malaysians in higher education institutions in this country," said SMM president Ahmad Rifaudin Abd Wahab (left).

The five students have to face disciplinary proceedings for alleged involvement in a campaign to boycott last September's campus polls.

The proceeding was initially scheduled next Monday but has been postponed indefinitely.

Ahmad Rifaudin also urged the minister to drop the charges against 14 other students from University of Malaya and Universiti Putra Malaysia who were also charged on similar grounds.

All the cases are still pending resulting in "prolonging the students' mental stress", SMM said.

No malicious intention

"All of us who have been charged are ready to face the proceeding as we stand by our cause. We have done nothing wrong and the charges are unreasonable," he said.

During last September's campus elections, the 'pro-establishment' faction for the first time took control of all 17 universities amid allegations of irregularities and boycotts from their rivals.

The 'anti-establishment' faction then launched a series of campaigns and demonstrations through SMM.

Ahmad Rifaudin is also seeking a meeting with the new minister to discuss with him several crucial issues including the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971.

"We have sent the request to meet the minister last night. We hope to see him next week," he said.

Meanwhile, human rights organisations Aliran, Hakam and Suaram urged USM to drop all charges against its students.

In an appeal letter addressed to USM deputy vice chancellor of students affairs Assoc Prof Dr Jamaludin Mohaiadin, they said the five students "were acting without malice and were more concerned about electoral procedures that hindered campus democracy."

"We call upon university authorities to nurture a vibrant, intellectual culture that promotes creative and critical thinking as it would benefit the country in the long run," the letter said.

A copy of the letter was also forwarded to Mustapa, USM vice chancellor Prof Dzulkifli Abdul Razak as well as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.