Agora Society strongly condemn the cowardice act perpetrated
by University Malaya (UM) for lodging a police report against student activist
Wong Yan Ke. The police report was made in light of a solo protest by Yan Ke
calling for the resignation of the varsity’s vice-chancellor, Datuk Abdul Rahim
Hashim. A protest of such nature certainly does not merit a police report, but
it would only serve to jeopardize whatever goodwill or reputation that UM still
had left. Agora Society is gravely disappointed that the once great education
institution had since resorted to the police to help investigate its own
student for expressing his views about the vice-chancellor. It is to our view
that UM, as being the most prominent university in Malaysia, does not deserve
to be associated with values such as open-mindedness and professionalism which
are ironically on full display in their official website.
According to news report, UM has cited Yan Ke’s one-man
protest has disrespected the protocol and running of the ceremony. But video
evidence has suggested that Yan Ke’s action did not disrupt the ceremony but
merely startled a part of the crowd. And as opposed to what UM has alleged, the
ceremony at that day ended peacefully and grievances were only shown after the
ceremony and among certain sections of the crowd. This does not in any way
disrupt the flow of the event that day. Therefore, Yan Ke did not in any way
disrespect the ceremony, but it has inadvertently ruffled a few feathers of
those powers-to-be in UM. If UM is unable to tolerate criticism and dissent
from a lonesome student, then it is debatable that UM could truly live up to
its ideals of being an internationally renowned institution of higher learning
in research, innovation, publication and teaching.
Agora Society also strongly disagree with the fact that Yan
Ke’s action has tarnished the reputation of UM as alleged by the latter. Yan
Ke’s defence for a more tolerant UM and Malaysia should be applauded instead
and a reputable University should instead defend any student with progressive
stance like Yan Ke. The only move we have seen that is tarnishing the UM’s
reputation currently is the police report made against a recalcitrant student
and defending a purportedly racist Vice Chancellor.
Furthermore, UM has since followed up its police reports by
barring another fellow student and associate of Yan Ke, Edan Kon Hua En from
attending his convocation ceremony for fear of disrupting public order. Edan
has promised that he would not be protesting or displaying placard but to no
avail. Agora Society question the need for such harsh actions for denying a
student his finest moment in University when he himself has promised there
would be no protest during the ceremony. Subsequently, Yan Ke is also worried
that he might not be receiving his transcript for openly defying the Vice
Chancellor. Given that UM’s recent attitude towards dissent and Yan Ke’s
transcript has been mysteriously smudged and experiencing printing difficulties
in publication, the graduate’s worry is not unfounded and Agora Society want to
remind UM not to engage in personal and petty revenge for denying a fellow
young graduate’s four years of achievement.
The PH government’s response has been equally damning as
they were calling for academic freedom and a more tolerant Malaysia during the
last general election, yet they were nowhere to be seen in this whole incident.
It is also disappointing that the police have since taken action by summoning
Yan Ke for further investigation.
It is undisputedly clear that what Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim
has uttered recently is not befitting in the so called ‘New Malaysia’ and his
views should be rebuked and challenged. Criticism against UM and the call for
the resignation of the Vice Chancellor stemming from civil society and public
has since risen and Agora Society are unequivocally supportive of it. We also
wish to send solidarity to all the students who harbour the same view as Yan
Ke. Lastly, we remind UM that university is a place embraces diverse and
though-provoking ideologies and debate them professionally and rationally.
Leaderships dictating how an institution will go, university not excluded.
Thus, we urge UM to withdraw its unnecessary police report if it still harbours
any intention of defending academic freedom and the reputation of UM.
Agora Society Malaysia
17.10.2019