Defend yourselves, ‘Rome Statute academics’

Mustafa K. Anuar Mustafa K. Anuar Updated 7 years ago · Published on 26 Apr 2019 11:00AM · 7 Comments

Academics who presented an executive summary against the Rome Statute to the Malay rulers must argue their case in a public forum set to be held tomorrow. – International Criminal Court website pic, April 26, 2019.

A POLITICALLY significant forum to discuss the Rome Statute and its related issues will be held in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

This forum was announced weeks ago and yet, there has not been a squeak so far to indicate that at least two of the four academics, who reportedly made a presentation to the Malay rulers at the beginning of this month, would participate in the public forum.

The other two who had declined the invite to the forum should reconsider their decision.

In their hushed presentation, the academics apparently cautioned the Malay rulers that signing the international treaty would have dire consequences for them and others as well.

This incident, as we know it, gave rise to the sudden scrapping of Putrajaya’s plan to ratify the Rome Statute.

The withdrawal from ratifying the international treaty obviously reflects badly on Malaysia, especially in the eyes of the international community. Such flippancy is frowned upon because this is not akin to changing your mind about buying a diamond ring.

Apart from the academic outfit Malaysian Academic Movement (Gerak), the National Patriots’ Association (Patriot) has also rightly urged these academics to come forward to defend their stand on this important matter in the forum, which is organised by a few civil society and academic organisations.

Surely, it does not necessitate the academics concerned to be dragged, kicking and screaming into a public debate as this would be beyond the pale.

Academic convention would expect them to take up this challenge in their stride because to engage in a debate should be part and parcel of academic life. To be clear, meeting of the minds normally does not bring about colossal head damage.

Indeed, it would be a dereliction of duty should these academics decide eventually to shy away from this forum, especially when the topic is a hot-button issue.

To reiterate, it is incumbent upon them to present and defend their position on the subject matter because their controversial justification for their criticism of the Rome Statute is of public interest and curiosity.

Similarly, it would be instructive for the public to know the arguments that would be marshalled by the opposite side, i.e. Prof Shad Saleem Faruqi and Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, regarding the Rome Statute.

A deafening silence from these four academics is not an option and neither is it elegant. In fact, such an act of stonewalling would adversely affect their academic standing and accountability.

Worse, it smudges the image of the institutions to which they’re attached, if not the reputation of all public universities as well.

The spectre of “professor kangkung” has already made its rounds through the grapevine as a result of the public conduct of these academics, a locally known derogatory buzzword for lecturers whose academic integrity is suspect and mockable.

Keeping mum would also present a bad example to their students and others who are supposed to look up to them for intellectual leadership and moral courage.

If nothing else, surely, the familiar refrain of “Untuk negara, bangsa dan agama” (For the country, race and religion) would nudge them to rise to the occasion.

Certain segments of society, especially those who are not fully aware of the role of academics, would appreciate the fact that academics are expected to challenge ideas among themselves and with others in the pursuit of truth and knowledge.

It goes a long way towards promoting academic rigour and intellectual integrity in the country if the academics concerned (and others as well) are willing to stand up and be counted. – April 26, 2019.

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Comments

  • They will be absent - and get their Datukships as a reward

    Posted 7 years ago by Watchdog Watchdog · Reply

    • I am not sure they will get the honorific cos' it will make the Royal Family looks silly after all the hues and cries.

      Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • One way out is for the King to command these 'academics' to attend and explain the rationale for their hushed advice to him and his brother rulers. They should not be allowed to get away with their stealthy, 'sell contraband at the pasar malam while no one is watching' modus operandi. If they've (mis)used their academic credentials to gain access to His Majesty, then they should be fully prepared to defend their credentials and dignity (if any) publicly and in full view of their peers and all Malaysians. Anything less is unacceptable and they should be charged with actively and knowingly misleading His Majesty.

    Posted 7 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • Simply revoke their professorship from their academic status by the Education Ministry. Charge them in court for contempt of academic excellence, shaming the Royal Families by telling lies with purposeful intent to instigate the Royal against Federal , shit stirring mayhem as perpetrators and lastly in creating a perception in shaming Malay intelligence. I am sure they will crawl out from the worm hole and beg for leniency

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • In my opinion, they should be responsible for their deeds. Just participate in the forum and voice out your arguments. Rakyat will then be able to judge what is right and what is wrong and whether the arguments by either side of party makes sense or not. Please do not be a chicken or prove the minister right that you guys are indeed "kangkung professors". Grab the opportunity to explain in open what you guys did in private

    Posted 7 years ago by Raghu Thiyagarajan · Reply

  • Pandai baling batu dan sembunyi tangan. Can't they be charged for treason? They thought they would never be found out. What made them so confident of this? A big "well done" to the students who found out and exposed them. Were they members of Najib's thousand strong Council of Professors?

    Posted 7 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • Nothing will happen to these four. Their universities will protect them. They will still get their promotion. May even be fast track promotion. There is never any shame among these kangkung professors. If they know how to be shameful, we will not have kangkungs.

    Posted 7 years ago by T E · Reply