A UNIVERSITI Malaya (UM) student leader who questioned public donations to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has become the target of online bullying, threats and personal attacks after videos of her remarks went viral on social media.
Ummi Umairah Bakhit, 23, said individuals had taken photographs from her Instagram profile without her consent, while others harassed her, made derogatory comments about her physical appearance and threatened her with expulsion.
The Bachelor of Economics student said she would not be intimidated by the backlash, stressing that corruption should remain a key issue in national discussions, particularly among young people.
The online attacks followed her remarks during a dialogue at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, where she questioned public donations to Najib in view of his legal cases linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and his conviction in the SRC International case.
Ummi, a member of the UM Student Union, also raised the Tabung Haji controversy and called on the panellists to address corruption and political accountability.
The session featured former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Clips of her remarks subsequently circulated widely on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, drawing attention to her questions as well as the harassment directed at her.
Ummi said her questions were relevant to a forum on transformation and maintained that corruption was as important to nation-building as climate change, artificial intelligence and education, which were also discussed by the panellists.
She added that Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli had contacted her to check on her well-being and assured her that she would not be expelled or face disciplinary action.
Ummi said the university had taken no action against her, adding that speculation about her possible expulsion had originated on social media.
She hoped the incident would encourage more students to express their views without fear, participate in co-curricular activities and remain engaged in various fields.