Adam was earlier probed for his role in a controversy that was sparked by his lowering of a banner bearing the likeness of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak here last month.
According to a post by Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) on micro-blogging site Twitter today, the decision was made after a one-hour disciplinary hearing at the university.
“One-and-a-half years’ suspension in the cause of academic freedom is more noble than a year in jail for corruption,” the chairman of Legasi Mahasiswa Progresif, a coalition member of SMM, said in an immediate response on Twitter.
Human rights group Suaram also spoke out against the decision, saying that “the suspension of Adam Adli is politically motivated and a violation of freedom of expression aimed purely to victimise him.”
On December 17, about 100 student activists had marched to the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on to hand over a six-point memorandum on academic freedom to Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
Adam, 22, had lowered and then raised a banner of Umno president Najib outside the party’s headquarters, immediately drawing criticism from the public and some government officials.
But over 34,000 people have so far backed a Facebook campaign called “We Are All Adam Adli” created in support of the student activist.
Fellow campaigners also organised a sit-in at UPSI’s campus in Tanjung Malim on New Year’s Eve, which saw several students injured when police moved to disperse the assembly.
During the ensuing exchange, Movement for Academic Freedom (Bebas) chairman Safwan Anang claimed he was punched and kneed by policeman, resulting in him being hospitalised.
Police have, however, denied assaulting the students, and insisted there was “no scuffle” when arrests were made.
SMM has since said it would be take the matter to court.
