I would do it all again, says student

PETALING JAYA: Student activist Wong Yan Ke says his protest against the Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor at the convocation was to “democratise” and “inspire” the campus.

He said he would do it all over again despite the trouble it brought him, claiming that Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim had never been held accountable to the students or academicians.

“He wrongly used the university’s name for political reasons. Please don’t say that I was the one who shamed the university’s name, ” he said at a press conference.

Wong, who is being investigated for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, took an hour to give his statement.

On Monday, UM lodged a police report against Wong, who staged the solo protest calling for Abdul Rahim’s resignation.

Wong also said the university did not hand him his certificate and transcripts although he returned the graduation gown.

His legal representative Asheeq Ali said they would give UM 24 hours to reply to why Wong was not given his certificate and transcripts.

Failing to do so, they will take legal action, said Asheeq.

Wong said he was not a member of any political party and his actions were his own doing.

He said the protest was held following Abdul Rahim’s recent speech at the Malay Dignity Congress in Shah Alam.

He claimed the speech was racially charged and as a graduate, he had a right to criticise and call for the individual to be courteous.

The Universiti Malaya Academic Staff Union supported Wong’s right to express himself although it disagreed with the platform he used.

The union said although the protest marred the convocation, it

was likely driven by a student community that was already unhappy over the many misdemeanours and misactions of the vice-chancellor.

It said Abdul Rahim failed to promote racial tolerance and unity at the university by getting involved in the congress.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has called for Abdul Rahim to resign if he was not able to take criticism from students or willing to provide safe space for students to engage in discourse.

“UM and all universities are supposed to be a safe space for students and youth to learn, debate and develop their ideas.

“As part of this process, any critique against policies through protests or civil disobedience is to be expected and welcomed so long as it does not promote violence against others, ” Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) chief information officer Wan Mohd Husni Abdullah said the student violated the traditions and protocol of the ceremony that should be respected by all parties.

“The student’s action showed a lack of morals and values as an educated person and undermines the reputation of the university in public. The use of the term ‘freedom of speech’ (by the student) should not be arbitrarily used and should be done through proper channels, ” he said.

He added that MYC was of the view that the student and the university should discuss the issues.