UiTM vice-chancellor came to UM students’ defence

While University of Malaya vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim condemned the six students who were involved in a scuffle with former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Nazak’s supporters, UiTM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Azraai Kassim has thrown in his much needed support for these students.

With regards to the physical force used by UMNO supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam on UM Association of New Youth (Umany) president Wong Yan Ke, Prof Azraai said that his university wholly rejects attempts to silence students’ freedom of expression, especially through violence.

This naturally backs Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik’s remarks that university administration should be strongly against the assault.

With support from Dr Maszlee and Prof Azraain, Wong is now demanding clarity from Datuk Abdul Rahim who seems to have put the blame on the attacked instead of the attackers.

According to Datuk Abdul Rahim, violence crosses the line of democratic society’s norms and is against the values of Malay Muslims along with the nation’s laws.

The scuffle broke out on Friday (March 22) when six UM students staged a protest across the street from the restaurant where Najib Razak was giving a talk, before the peaceful assembly was confronted by a group of Najib Razak’s supporters.

The caricature of clown Najib Razak was torn during the ruckus.

Police are still investigating the case under Section 160 of the Penal Code, and will take action against anyone who violated Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act.