GEORGE TOWN – Rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has slammed Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for rejecting its application to hold a human rights exhibition on custodial deaths, which was scheduled to run from December 18 to 20.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Suaram revealed that it was informed yesterday that the university’s Students Development Affairs & Alumni Division (BHEPA) had disapproved the event, citing its content as “too sensitive.”
Suaram expressed disappointment with the timing of the decision, noting that the group had already secured approval from a lecturer, a faculty, and a campus hall, and that other parties had completed their preparations for the event.
“BHEPA’s decision to disapprove the application made for this programme is seen as stifling students’ academic freedom. This (action) indirectly shows that BHEPA is being biased and not being neutral by assuming that this program is too sensitive and goes against the government,” Suaram stated on X.
The group said that due to the rejection, the event would be relocated to a different venue and rescheduled for December 19-21. Additional details will be shared soon.
The exhibition is part of a nationwide tour by Suaram, which aims to present the case of S. Balamurugan, who died in police custody at the Klang Utara district police headquarters on February 8, 2017.
Suaram also pointed out that government bodies such as the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) and the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) participated in previous exhibition tours.
“(Therefore) does BHEPA think that these agencies are against the government?” Suaram asked. – December 17, 2024