Adam Adli's UPSI suspension extended indefinitely

PETALING JAYA: Student activist Adam Adli has been suspended from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) indefinitely, extending his three-semester suspension imposed on him in 2012 until the conclusion of his on-going sedition case.

In a statement, Adam said he received a letter dated Sept 6, signed by the university's vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Zakaria Kasa, stating he was suspended indefinitely because of his on-going sedition trial.

Adam, 23, said the suspension was with immediate effect and would end after the completion of his court case.

"It is quite clear that this suspension is politically-motivated. It was done without following the law where punishment would only be taken after a show-cause letter, investigation and an internal inquiry has been completed.

"One letter shouldn't be able to suspend a student," he said.

The third-year student was initially suspended in January last year for taking down the flag with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's image and replacing it with a flag bearing the words "Kebebasan Akademik" (Academic Freedom) outside Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur in Dec 2011.

In May, Adam was charged under the sedition act for statements he made during a May 13 forum held at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

"When students are active in social and political activities, the government tells them to focus on their studies. But now they are stopping me from studying," he said.

He said he would discuss his next move with his lawyers.

"If UPSI really doesn't want me back, I will take other initiatives for my tertiary education. I declined other overseas opportunities because I wanted to complete my studies in UPSI.

"But now, I might consider other options if there is no solution," he said.