PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya law professor Prof Azmi Sharom was happy to see his students gather to support him, but stressed that their presence was to fight for the repeal of the Sedition Act and for academic freedom.
An estimated 300 students boycotted their classes for a peaceful assembly on Wednesday, in support of the Universiti Malaya law lecturer, who was recently charged with sedition.
"The Sedition Act must be abolished. Some people say that without it, the country cannot progress and will not achieve Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020). Our work is to abolish this Act by voicing our rights, said Prof Azmi.
"The use of the Sedition Act is a show of weakness, not strength," he said.
Prof Azmi also said that the huge turnout was not for him specifically, but for the "bigger issue" at hand.
"As a democratic country, we have the right to voice things out," he said to students at the University's main bus stand, also known as the old speaker's corner.
He said that he had been a lecturer for 24 years and was filled with pride to see all his students there.
"Our young students are not lambs who follow instructions. Our students are knowledgeable, are concerned for the country and want the country to develop fairly," he said.
The Universiti Malaya Students' Association (PMUM), together with a few politicians and academicians, started the peaceful march from the Law faculty building, and were joined by others.
Echoes of "Mansuhkan Akta Hasutan" (Abolish the Sedition Act) and "academic freedom" were heard during the march.
Students also displayed placards and banners supporting Prof Azmi.
UM Academic Staff Union (PKAUM) coordinator for the Solidarity4AzmiSharom project, Dr Lee Hwok Aun, read a declaration, stating their concerns over the violation of human rights, curtailing of freedom of speech and restriction of academic freedom.
"We condemn the sedition charge on Prof Azmi because it attacks academic freedom and the ethics of a democratic nation.
"We urge the Government to drop all charges against Prof Azmi, abolish the Sedition Act, respect and uphold academic freedom and administer the country well and also to protect the people's rights," said Dr Lee.
After the declaration, students raised the Malaysian and academic freedom flags.
Dr Lee also declared the tree they were standing under during the protest would now be called 'The Tree of Academic Freedom'.
Dr Nurjaanah Chew Li Hua, a senior lecturer from the Law faculty echoed Dr Lee's sentiments.
"We exist and function in a society that is afraid to say anything for fear of repercussions. There is fear that an expression of thought or opinion is deemed seditious.
"This is a peaceful assembly consisting of concerned academics and students. It is crucial that such freedom of expression be embraced even though we are used to a culture of fear," said Dr Chew.
Opposition politicians Puchong MP Gobind Singh, Kota Damansara Adun Yeo Bee Yin, Segamat MP Lim Lip Eng and Selangor State Assembly deputy speaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also attended the protest.
Universiti Malaya law lecturer Dr Azmi, a columnist for The Star, was charged on Sept 2 with sedition over comments made on an online portal regarding the 2009 Perak crisis.
He claimed trial after being charged under Section 4(1)(b) and Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948.
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