UNIVERSITI Teknologi Malaysia has come under fire for grilling a group of students for six hours during the exam season for protesting against a fee hike.

A students’ group, the Coalition for Academic Freedom (Gabungan Pembebasan Akademik), said the interrogation of three students from MJIIT Voices coalition on Wednesday was undertaken by auxiliary police and UTM management at its Kuala Lumpur campus.

“MJIIT Voices has done a lot in the fight against the exorbitant fee hike. However, there are quarters, including the Education Ministry, who have taken the issue which involves the welfare and rights of the students lightly,” GPA said in a statement.

The interrogation against the three students went on without a break from 5pm to 11pm.

Branding the move as against human rights, GPA said the university was aware that the trio were undergoing their final semester examination.

“They should respect the students during the examination period, especially in the month of Ramadan, and yet the auxiliary police continued their investigation without a break.

“The violation of student rights by all parties, including the university management, has to stop right away.”

In addition, the interrogation was done in private, as opposed to the norm where all incidents have to be investigated transparently to prevent any abuse of power.

According to GPA, the university also threatened the students with action under the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA).

“The archaic act should not be used in this day and age to constrict students’ academic freedom”.

GPA also urged the Education Ministry, especially the committee mandated to review the UUCA, to take the institution to task for its arrogance and failure to resolve the problem in a proper manner.

GPA also urged the government to abolish the act without flip-flopping further.

The Malaysian Insight is seeking comments from the university management. – May 30, 2019.