Education Ministry should not keep mum over convocation protest issue, says Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry should speak up in the matter of the student activist who conducted a protest against the vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya at a convocation ceremony, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

The Ayer Hitam MP said the matter comes under the purview of the Education Ministry, and they had to say something about it.

"I am disappointed with the government leaders, especially (Education Minister) Dr Maszlee Malik and (his deputy) Teo Nie Ching – they should speak up. This is under your ministry, you can't let this issue (go) out of hand.

"I hope DAP leaders who used to preach they want social justice and freedom of speech, this is an acid test for them to at least gauge their wisdom (to see) if they can manage the issue well," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Thursday (Oct 17).

Dr Wee, however, said that the Government should get to the bottom of the whole brouhaha and address the issue.

This would also include looking into its root cause, which stemmed from the vice-chancellor's recent speech at the Malay Dignity Congress in Shah Alam.

"You should be more sensitive towards this issue and cannot remain silent as though this whole issue can be settled immediately.

"There must be immediate action from the Government to sit down with the university," Dr Wee added.

He added that everyone is entitled to freedom of speech but he also cautioned against jeopardising other issues or matters – in this case the convocation ceremony.

Student activist Wong Yan Ke had allegedly shouted "Ini Tanah Malaysia" while carrying a placard with the words "Tolak Rasis" (reject racism) and "Undur VC" (step down VC) on stage during his graduation after he received his degree scroll.

He said it was done to protest the vice-chancellor Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim's speech at the Malay Dignity Congress, which Wong said was racially charged.

On Monday (Oct 14), Universiti Malaya lodged a police report against Wong for his protest.

Wong was also questioned by the police.