IPOH: DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming has called for more T-shirts bearing a slogan criticising donations to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be printed.
Backing Universiti Malaya (UM) student Ummi Umairah Bakhit, 23, whose remarks questioning donations to Najib went viral recently, Nga said the slogan reflected public sentiment, particularly among the younger generation.
"I think we are going to print more T-shirts bearing the words, 'The stupidest thing I have ever seen in my life is donating to Najib Razak, the country's number one crook'," he said.
The Perak DAP chairman was speaking at the 24th Perak DAP Convention at the Ipoh Convention Centre today. Also present was DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
Nga commended Ummi for speaking out, describing her remarks as an expression of public sentiment against corruption.
"Regardless of who she is, I want to commend our university students, particularly Ummi, who went viral over the past two or three days.
"This is the voice of the people, the voice of university students and the voice of our younger generation. We should support and stand behind them," he said.
He also welcomed UM's decision not to take disciplinary action against Ummi, saying young people should be allowed to express their views.
"The university will not punish Ummi, the student who successfully gave voice to the people's sentiments. She has said that the stupidest thing in life is for anyone to still be willing to donate to a crook," he said.
Nga said the controversy highlighted a wider clash of values, particularly when corruption was glorified instead of condemned.
"This is a clash of values. Imagine having a group of crooks who support and glorify corruption, turning a cancerous disease that plagues this country into something to be worshipped rather than condemned.
"Imagine what message you are sending to the next generation. What message are you sending to our children?
"There is a famous saying: when a country rewards corruption more readily than its national heroes, it is sending a message that corruption is a career rather than a crime," he said.
Nga urged voters not to allow those he accused of corruption to remain in power, saying Pakatan Harapan must win the next general election to safeguard the country's future.
"We must not allow these people to remain in power in our country. That is why Pakatan Harapan must win. Pakatan Harapan, together with Amanah, must win to save this country from these groups of crooks.
"This is our homeland. We cannot simply wash our hands of our responsibility and let it go.
"Therefore, starting today, I want all delegates, councillors, village heads and elected representatives to go down to the ground every week and be prepared for the 16th General Election next year," he said.
It was reported on Friday that Ummi raised the issue during a dialogue with former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
She questioned donations to Najib, citing his legal cases linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and his conviction in the SRC International case.
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