Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

November 8, 2020

Abuse of Power Causes the Remand of Former Student Activist

University Malaya Should Resort to Dialogue but Not Oppression

Dong Jiao Zong sees the arrest of former student activist and President of UMANY Wong Yan Ke for recording a police raid in a sedition case involving Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY) which the police purport “obstructing a public officer” (an offence under section 186 of the Penal Code) as an excessive enforcement and offence against the right of individual liberty and security. Besides, we think Universiti Malaya needs to actively hold a dialogue with the students and listen to their voices rather than resorting to suppression for chilling effect. As known, while the police were about to search the home of Robin Yap Wen Qing on 7 November 2020, all the people at the scene observed public power and witnessed the police executing their duty without hurling any invectives or assaults. Wong’s videoing of the raid was merely a realisation of public supervision and he did not obstruct the police exercising their power. Wong’s execution of his public supervision power being alleged as “obstructing a public officer” seems to be an excessive enforcement and it goes beyond necessary boundary and thus an offence against the right of individual liberty and security. In this vein, we believe the reform of police agency is imminent and the government needs to resubmit a reviewed act to the Independent Police Complaints & Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

The administration of Universiti Malaya has been found recently serving for politics and not the education profession and its undisguised lackey-like manner is indeed worrying in the measurable future. A university is a platform for free thinking and brain storming; secluding oneself in the old approach will not produce advanced and open-minded end products. As a tertiary institution, University Malaya should not show contemptuous defiance towards the freedom of academic and speech but should break away from political shackles and reroute to professionalism corresponding to its commitment.

An undergraduate’s act of caring for politics, criticising social ills so as to partake in the civic discussion of politics should be encouraged. It is even more inspiring seeing critical thinking and individual character be nurtured from the educational aspect. In the process, errancy should be allowed; wanton oppression of dissent belies the lofty spirit of truth seeking and the pursuit of academic freedom and speech in many a tertiary institution.