15 students held over ‘silent’ protest at KL Sentral

(The Star) – Fifteen students were detained by the police after they held a silent protest at KL Sentral here Wednesday.

Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the students, aged between 20 and 22, were from several local universities.

He said they were being investigated under the Section 27 of the Police Act.

A total of 30 students, led by Movement for Academic Freedom (Bebas) chairperson Mohd Safwan Anang, staged a flashmob at the main entrance hallway of KL Sentral in the afternoon.

The group carried placards protesting against the oppression of academic freedom in the country.

Their demands included the guarantee of academic autonomy and repeal of the controversial Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA).

The group was asked twice by the police to disperse but refused to do so, leading to the arrest of the 15.