KLANG MP Charles Santiago has questioned the need for Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) to issue a warning to students against holding vigils or gatherings to show solidarity with Vinosiny Sivakumar’s family.

In a statement, the DAP lawmaker asked if the university has something to hide following the 20-year-old’s sudden death in her room at UUM’s Sintok campus in Kedah last Saturday.

“The vigils and gatherings are to show solidarity with Vinosiny and her family. Therefore, why has UUM imposed a ban and why threaten students with disciplinary action? Does the university have something to hide?”

“The police and university have different roles to play. While investigations are ongoing, there is nothing wrong in allowing students to grieve together. Such a strongly worded ban only raises suspicion,” he said.

Kedah police have said a possible cause of Vinosiny’s death is electrocution, but added that the actual cause will be determined after an autopsy.

R. Sivakumar, 53, said his daughter was a fourth-semester Bachelor of Accounting (Information Systems) student and returned to campus just a week before the incident.

He said Vinosiny’s body had obvious burn marks on the face and right hand as well as discolouration on two fingers.

Sivakumar said he saw as such when shown the body at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar.

Vinosiny, who was wearing glasses, was found on the floor. Her laptop was still open on her desk and she was wearing wireless headphones. A half-eaten slice of cake was also on her desk.

Santiago, meanwhile, urged the higher education minister to intervene to allow students to express condolences to the family.

He described the culture of silencing the voice of students is a violation of the freedom of speech and assembly.

“It cannot continue to happen in our universities. I stand in solidarity with the students and would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to Vinosiny’s parents and family members,” said Santiago.

Meanwhile, a UUM student told The Malaysian Insight that the circular was sent out yesterday evening.

The student, who declined to be named, said it was sent out to everyone in the university, including to campuses.

“The notice is genuine and was circulated yesterday at about 5pm. In it, students were warned not to hold vigils or gatherings for the deceased,” said the student. – May 28, 2022.