PUTRAJAYA: The Higher Education Ministry and Universiti Malaya (UM) have no intention of taking action against the student who went viral recently after asking a "tough" question during the i-Future programme.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the ministry maintained its position that students' right to freedom of expression must be respected, while condemning any form of abuse, insults or threats directed at the student on social media.
"My position is clear. Respect students' right to speak up. As we have stated, amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) have provided them with the space to express their views.
"This freedom should also be exercised responsibly, courteously and based on facts," he said in a statement shared on TikTok today.
Earlier, a video lasting more than two minutes went viral, showing a Universiti Malaya Students' Union representative firmly questioning a panel during a dialogue session held as part of the i-Future programme.
The student, among other things, expressed concerns about the integrity of leadership and criticised the collection of public donations to help former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pay the RM50 million fine imposed as one of the conditions for allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence for the SRC International case under house arrest.
Commenting on allegations of threats, abuse and condemnation directed at the student, Zambry said such behaviour should not occur and advised the student to lodge a police report to enable an investigation.
He urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to examine the posts and accounts involved, including the possibility that fake accounts had been used.
"If anyone has attempted to engage in wrongdoing, the student concerned should take appropriate action by lodging a report with the relevant authorities," he said.
Zambry urged all parties not to politicise the issue or exploit students to advance specific agendas.
"I also urge everyone not to turn students into weapons of political propaganda, to the extent that they become victims of certain agendas.
"For example, some ministers have even called for shirts, T-shirts and the like to be made, whereas at the ministry level, we have absolutely no intention of taking any action against the student concerned," he said.
The student, Ummi Umairah Bakhit, said she would not retract her remarks about public donations to Najib, made at a summit recently.
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