KUALA LUMPUR – Student activist Wong Yan Ke has expressed his frustration with the magistrates’ court’s order to submit his defence over his past protest against Universiti Malaya (UM) former vice-chancellor Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim for alleged racist remarks.
In a statement, the University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) former chairperson said that he is disappointed with today’s outcome and is dismayed over how Rahim can be allowed to escape accountability.
“A vice-chancellor who abused the name of Universiti Malaya by holding a Malay Dignity Congress and delivering a racist speech does not need to be tried in court but instead enjoys impunity and a generous pension.
“This is testament to how ‘all animals are equal but some are more equal than others’ is true,” he claimed, drawing parallels as to how mainstream society disallows anyone to challenge the legitimacy and authority of ‘Ketuanan Melayu’.
He added that despite the financial and emotional trials associated with being in court, he is not deterred from speaking up for the constitutional rights of citizens in the nation.
“I will continue to stand in court to defend our freedom of speech as I believe that Malaysia is a country ruled by law.
“Justice may be late but true victory always belongs to justice.”
Wong was charged under Section 504 of the Penal Code which refers to intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.
The charge carries a punishment of imprisonment for a term of up to two years, a fine or both upon conviction.
The court fixed May 17 for the defence to submit their witness list and July 4 to 7 for the defence stage of Wong’s trial.
In announcing the decision, magistrate Fardiana Haryanti Ahmad Rzali ruled that a prima facie case had been established for one charge, and gave Wong three options in entering his defence, namely to give sworn evidence, to give an unsworn statement from the dock, or to remain silent.
His counsel team, led by lawyer Tan Wei Shin, informed the court that he would give sworn evidence from the witness stand for the defence stage of the trial.
On October 14, 2019, the engineering student received his graduation scroll on stage and then proceeded to yell: “Tolak rasis. Undur VC. Ini Tanah Malaysia (Reject racists. VC step down. This is Malaysian land)” while holding a placard outlining his demands.
Wong had cited several reasons for demanding the vice-chancellor’s resignation, namely how Rahim had allegedly promoted racism and hatred through a speech made during the Malay Dignity Congress on October 6, 2019.
Rahim had purportedly claimed that the change in government after the previous general election had done away with Malay political dominance while asserting that Malay privileges were under question.
In response, Universiti Malaya had lodged a police report against Wong, condemning his “rude and unacceptable” actions and throwing their support behind Rahim. – The Vibes, April 5, 2022
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