We, the undersigned Malaysian academics and researchers, as well as colleagues from other countries researching on Malaysia, wish to record our serious concern and objection to the recent actions taken against Professor Abdul Aziz Bari of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

Prof Aziz Bari is currently being investigated by the police under the Sedition Act 1948 and by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for a statement in an online news portal involving the Sultan of Selangor. He has since been suspended by his employer, IIUM.

According to a Bernama report on Oct 21, 2011, the Rector of IIUM Prof Zaleha Kamaruddin has stated that: "The university does not restrict any academic staff from giving statements but they must not be against the interests of the university." We are extremely perturbed by this statement as Prof Aziz Bari’s comment was related to his interpretation of the Malaysian Constitution, his area of expertise. He has not done anything to compromise or undermine the interests or integrity of IIUM.

As academics and researchers, we view the action taken by IIUM as a gross violation of Prof Aziz Bari's academic freedom as well as his right to free expression. As an academic, Prof Aziz Bari has the responsibility to use his expertise to enlighten the public on matters related to his field of interest and scholarship. In fact, Malaysia needs more scholars like him to give their expert views without fear or favour on issues of national concern.

Prof Aziz Bari's suggestion that a Ruler has acted beyond his Constitutional bounds is a legitimate one. There is no evidence that he has acted, overtly or by implication, to incite hatred against the Ruler. Our reading of the Sedition Act 1948 is that it validates any criticism of a Ruler if such criticism is intended to constructively show that the Ruler has erred.

The hallmark of any institution of higher learning is the celebration and promotion of intellectual freedom, autonomy and responsibility by its faculty and student body. The credibility of a university is undermined if its management does not value intellectual freedom of expression through the pursuit of open discussions, debates and dissenting opinions in a scholarly and civil environment.

The investigations on Prof Aziz Bari by the government and IIUM's decision to suspend him signal the further suppression of academic freedom in Malaysia, which has in fact long been curtailed by the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971.

To ensure a swift resolution of the selective persecution of Prof Aziz Bari and to undo the damage to IIUM’s reputation, we urge the responsible authorities to undertake the following remedial actions:

1. The IIUM to lift Prof Aziz Bari's suspension immediately;

2. The police to cease all investigations against Prof Aziz Bari under the Sedition Act 1948; and

3. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to cease all investigations against Prof Aziz Bari under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

In addition we call on the authorities to fully respect academic rights and freedom through the following measures:

1. The Sedition Act 1948 which has unacceptable potential for abuse against fundamental freedoms of expression to be repealed.

2. The Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 to be repealed and replaced by a University Charter that upholds academic freedom and campus democracy.

Signed by:

Individuals

   1. Dr Abdul Hamid Mat Sain
   2. Prof. Abdul Rahman Embong
   3. Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa
   4. Joseph Algaraj
   5. Assoc. Prof. Andrew Aeria
   6. Ang Hean Leng
   7. Dr Patricia Ang
   8. Dr. Awang Azman Awang Pawi
   9. Assoc. Prof Azizan Bahari
  10. Dr Azly Rahman
  11. Assoc. Prof. Azman Azwan Azmawati
  12. Assoc. Prof. Azmi Sharom
  13. Dr Azmil M. Tayeb
  14. Dr Michael Barr
  15. Boon Kia Meng
  16. Dr Chan Chee Khoon
  17. Chang Teck Peng
  18. Dr Chee Heng Leng
  19. Chong Wu Ling
  20. Dr Chong Fah Hing
  21. Dr. Christopher Chong
  22. Chou Wen Loong
  23. Chung Lee Peng
  24. Dr Faisal Syam Abdol Hazis
  25. Dr Faizal Ali
  26. Dr Farish Ahmad Noor
  27. Prof. Fatimah Mohamed Arshad
  28. Assoc. Prof. Sharmani Patricia Gabriel
  29. Dr Oommen George
  30. Assoc. Prof. Goh Beng Lan
  31. Prof. Alberto Gomes
  32. Prof. Edmund Terence Gomez
  33. Prof. Andrew Harding
  34. K.J. John
  35. Prof. Andrew Kenyon
  36. Emeritus Prof. Clive Kessler
  37. Dr Denison Jayasooria
  38. Dr Jeniri Amir
  39. Dr Khoo Gaik Cheng
  40. Eddin Khoo
  41. Koh Ea Boon
  42. Lai Wan Teng
  43. Dr Joanne Lim
  44. Dr Julian C.H. Lee
  45. Dr Lee Hwok Aun
  46. Leong May San
  47. Leong Kar Yen
  48. Pauline Leong
  49. Assoc. Prof. Lim Hong Hai
  50. Assoc. Prof. Lim Khay Thiong
  51. Prof. Lim Teck Ghee
  52. Prof. Francis K.W. Loh
  53. Dr Mahyuddin Ahmad
  54. Dahlia Martin
  55. Maimuna Merican
  56. Dr Maznah Mohamad
  57. Prof Dr Mohammad Yusoff Ismail
  58. Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
  59. Assoc. Prof. Mohd Nordin Mohd Abdullah
  60. Dr Joel Moore
  61. Dr. Muhammad Hamdi b Mahmood
  62. Dr Musa Nordin
  63. Assoc. Prof. Mustafa K. Anuar
  64. Dr Yaso Nadarajah
  65. Rose Nanju
  66. Assoc. Prof. Helen Nesadurai
  67. Dr Cecilia Ng
  68. Dr Nor Hayati Sa’at
  69. Dr Nor’azim Mohd Yunos
  70. Dr Noraida Endut
  71. Noor'ain Aini
  72. Assoc Prof Norani Othman
  73. Ng Boon Hooi
  74. Dr Nur Afifa Abdullah
  75. Dr Ong Kian Ming
  76. Dr Ooi Kee Beng
  77. Prof. Pan Kok Long
  78. Prof. Maude Phipps
  79. Dr Phua Kai Lit
  80. Dr Subramaniam Pillay
  81. Por Heong Hong
  82. Dr Mavis Puthucheary
  83. Dr Arnold Puyok
  84. Dr Rabaah Bt Tudin
  85. Prof Raja Amin Raja Mokhtar
  86. Prof. Rashidah Shuib
  87. Assoc Prof Rashila Ramli
  88. Assoc. Prof. Rusli Ahmad
  89. Dr Rohaya Mohd Nor
  90. Dr Marina Roseman
  91. Assoc. Prof. Rosli H Mahat
  92. Dr Rusaslina Idrus
  93. Dr Johan Saravanamuttu
  94. Saw Teck Chee
  95. Assoc. Prof. Shakila Abdul Manan
  96. Assoc. Prof. Edmund Sim
  97. Darshan Singh
  98. Dr Hari Singh
  99. Assoc. Prof. Siti Hawa Ali
  100. Dr Soon Chuan Yean
  101. Prof. Tan Sooi Beng
  102. Tan Lee Ooi
  103. Dr Taufiq Abdullah
  104. Prof. Tham Siew Yean
  105. Dr Helen Ting
  106. Dr Ting Su Hie
  107. Dr Toh Kin Woon
  108. Dr Adam Tyson
  109. Prof. Wan Abdul Manan Wan Muda
  110. Prof. Wan Zawawi Ibrahim
  111. Wang Lay Kim
  112. Assoc. Prof. Bridget Welsh
  113. Dr Amanda Whiting
  114. Dr Diana Wong
  115. Dr Wong Chin Huat
  116. Wong Chip Choo
  117. Dr Yeoh Seng Guan
  118. Yong Kiat
  119. Assoc. Prof. Young Suan
  120. Assoc. Prof. Zaharom Nain

Organisations

   1. UM Academic Staff Union (PKAUM)