Sit-in Protest And Democracy

Malaysiakini
By Josh Hong

The atmosphere was joyous and almost festive. Fahmi Reza, founder of Student Power, was jumping from one end to the other just to get people to sit down for the lecture, and so enthusiastic was he that his lanky body seemed to belong to someone else.

And there was Azmi Sharom (right), the Universiti Malaya (UM) associate professor who persistently pushes the boundaries of academic freedom, ready to speak with a cigarette in his hand. Was there a cooler way to deliver a talk?

The topic? Not just about one’s right to affordable tertiary education, but also on Article 153 of the federal constitution and its implications for race relations in this country.

“The definition of Malay cannot be based on race, for a simple reason that none of our prime ministers is 100 percent Malay!” Azmi grinned, and the crowd laughed out loud.

“Tapi boleh kah Ridhuan Tee diingat sebagai orang Melayu menurut Artikel 153?” one young student asked curiously.

“Oh, memang. Dia ni 100 persen Melayu!” Azmi’s tone couldn’t be more sarcastic.

“Tapi dia Melayu Umno!” someone interjected to boisterous laughter.

All this, of course, will never happen in a conventional lecture room in any of our universities. But Universiti Dataran Merdeka is different in that the participants are eager to quest for real knowledge that cannot be found elsewhere.

They are protesting against the increasing costs of tertiary education that will soon be beyond the ability of an ordinary Malaysian household, but also using the opportunity to challenge and even subvert the doctrines that are jealously guarded by the powers-that-be as the sacrosanct truth.

So why did the peaceful, rational and edifying event have to be met with violence?

Who is outsourcing thuggery to reckless, irresponsible and even dangerous forces that now seem bent on scaring the general public?

Najib Abdul Razak recently appeared on NTV7 and defended the police, arguing that crime rates had come down substantially. If our police were indeed so professional, why have they repeatedly failed to tackle the slew of attacks by the thuggish elements, who – ‘coincidentally’ – only struck at those who happen to disagree with Barisan Nasional policies?

I would say our police can indeed be efficient, but only selectively.

Beating the police at their own game

The daring character of these ruffians and the failure of the police to ensure the safety of the students at Dataran Merdeka are telling and instructive of the capricious nature of the BN-ruled Malaysia. One may blame the onlookers for appearing to have done nothing, yet how does one fight off a sizeable group of hoodlums who have beaten the police at their own game time and time again?

With the connivance and acquiescence of you-know-who, these unruly youths will continue to frighten to their heart’s content those who yearn for change, while the police stand idly by allegedly because of “the lack of capacity”.

The refusal by Hishammuddin Hussein to condemn the incident is only expected. The home minister’s reputation was so terribly damaged after the fiasco over the Bersih 2.0 protest last July that he is now only full of resentment and bitterness towards civil society.

What is most despicable is the tweet by Khaled Nordin which appears to imply that the students only have themselves to blame. Such acerbity from someone holding the portfolio of higher education – while tarnishing further Malaysia’s already tainted image – is emblematic of BN politics nonetheless. It is akin to saying one deserves to be robbed by a snatch theft simply for being ‘audacious’ enough to carry a suitcase in public!

There is simply no hope for the future generations if Najib is to materialise his flamboyant and pompous pledge to transform the country with the likes of Hishammuddin, Khaled Nordin, Kong Cho Ha, Liow Tiong Lai and, lest we forget, Rais Yatim.

But why should the public continue to back a prime minister who does not even have the guts to appoint a right person to oversee the Women’s Ministry? This ludicrous arrangement only strengthens the perception of Rosmah Mansor being a back-seat driver!

No, we have not heard any unequivocal condemnation from any prominent government figure. Would there be such ‘elegant silence’ if the victims had been BN politicians? Or would Najib and his cohorts continue to bury his head in the sand over some anti-Islamic/Malay remarks?

It is also utterly ridiculous for the government to accuse the students of serving the opposition’s agenda. If anything, it is the dearth of a proper channel to address various issues concerning our tertiary education – ranging from escalating costs to the stifled academic freedom – that some are compelled to take to the streets. If they happen to find a common platform with a political party, so be it.

Wasn’t it Antonio Gramsci who famously argued that civil society is a site of social contestation, wherein collective identities, ethical values and alliances are forged? Too bad that the BN henchmen have chosen to be absent from the meaningful struggle.

Be that as it may, one ignores the latest havoc at one’s peril, for it could be a harbinger of more sinister things to come as ‘the mother of all elections’ draws near. It is therefore vitally important that Malaysians be bold to stand up and be counted, and the best way to regain democracy is for one to be present at Dataran Merdeka on April 28.

JOSH HONG studied politics at London Metropolitan University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. A keen watcher of domestic and international politics, he longs for a day when Malaysians will learn and master the art of self-mockery, and enjoy life to the full in spite of politicians.

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