UKM issues stern warning, students fined over water disruption protest

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) today issued a warning and fined four undergraduates involved in a protest against water supply disruption at the campus three months ago.

Astro AWANI learnt that this occurred after the four, who faced a disciplinary hearing, pleaded not guilty for taking part in the protest. They were were tried immediately, while the other nine, who also pleaded not guilty, will face trial between July and September.

The students were each fined RM100.

The undergraduates involved in the protest received a letter dated June 15 saying that the students were involved in an "illegal protest" on March 27, demonstrating over water shortages at a number of residential colleges in the university.

Students’ effort

A source disclosed to Astro AWANI that the undergraduates, who survived the ordeal for two weeks, had to do something about it as 'the university' was not assisting to solve the matter.'

The 'dry taps' had spawned dry spell in the campus prompted the students to take matter in their own hand. The students handed a memorandum to Serdang MP Dr Ong Kian Ming during the protest and attended the state assembly to relate their problem to the state assemblymen there.

After listening to the undergraduates' woes, the assemblyman opted to sponsor 1000 five-litre mineral bottles and 40 boxes of 500ml mineral bottles.

The undergraduates initiated a fund raising effort by setting up a coffer at the the Seksyen 1, Bangi night bazaar (pasar malam) and used the money raised to hire a lorry to transport the water supply to the university.

A peaceful rally to protest the disruption of water supply had also taken place.

“We know that the protest is wrongful under university’s law. We did it because we were desperate,” the source disclosed.

The source said the university needs to address the issue before matters get out of hand.