Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh said the decision was made by UPNM to give the students the opportunity to continue their courses until the court made a decision on the charges against them.
“The 13 students who were released are still UPNM students and they should be treated as such.
“All of them will be given counselling to overcome their emotional disorders and trauma if any,” he said after attending a breaking of fast with the National Professors Council (MPN) here yesterday.
Zulfarhan Osman, 21, died at the Serdang Hospital on June 1 after he was allegedly abused over the theft of a laptop on May 22.
Thirteen students, all aged 21, were brought to court on June 14 to face charges under Section 330 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34, under which they can be jailed for seven years and are liable to be fined upon conviction.
Five other UPNM students were charged with murdering the victim. They face the mandatory death sentence if convicted.