Attacks on Wong Yan Ke sidestep race-baiting, sabre-rattling problem


EVIDENTLY, the dust still hasn’t settled on the ill-conceived Malay Dignity Congress, held almost two weeks ago.

While some academics have publicly responded, no academic body has released a statement, leaving one lone young graduate last weekend to wake us all up the to what the congress was all about.

When engineering graduate Wong Yan Ke walked up the Universiti Malaya stage to collect his scroll and then unveiled his little hand-written poster, while calling the vice-chancellor out as a racist for his role in the congress, perhaps he didn’t suspect that the whole university administration would come down to crush him.

In this regard, even Gerak is astounded and appalled at the concerted backlash that Wong’s simple act of civil disobedience has caused.

Were it not so serious, this whole episode could have been something out of a Monty Python film.

In this regard, like more organisations that are speaking out now, Gerak stands firmly behind Wong, and his right and freedom to say what he said.

Even saying it in a setting that has been contrived over the years to be sombre and respectful.

The key word here is ‘contrived’. For those who say that it was the wrong venue, we ask, what other more effective venue was there?

At any rate, now, supporters of the staus quo and the vice-chancellor are tripping over themselves to attack Wong, depicting him as “biadap”, “lacking class” and worse, though predictably, a “racist”.

Gerak believes that these attacks are silly, unfair and unfounded. Worse, they deliberately sidestep and hide at least two main reasons why this whole episode took place.

First, the organising of the congress by UM and three other public universities funded by public money, three of which having a multi-ethnic student and teaching population.

Second, the role played by UM and its vice-chancellor in the congress and whether this has brought the university into disrepute.

When the congress was first announced, we expressed our unease, especially when it sounded like a sabre-rattling, race-baiting gathering rather than an intellectual meeting.

However, we were then quickly assured by a senior official that it was a congress to discuss “research findings” that, in turn, could dispassionately inform policy.

What transpired instead was what we suspected and feared: much chest-thumping and very little concrete empirical findings.

It was indeed much like a blame, if not hate fest, led by the problematic Emeritus Professor Zainal Kling, renowned for once claiming that we were never colonised.

Be that as it may, this congress and UM’s involvement were the trigger for Wong’s action. This is something we cannot simply push aside.

Lodging a police report against Wong; withholding his transcripts and degree; mustering disciplined but bored-looking students to protest against him, all smack of immaturity, small-mindedness and the overreaching of the powers held by the university authorities.

Such use of force and censure is unnecessary and disgraceful, while showing little respect for human rights and going against the spirit and principles of debate and discussion.

Such principles are precisely what Gerak has long been fighting for and what the education minister has consistently encouraged and supported in our attempts at bringing much-needed reforms to our education system.

Hence, let us thank him for waking some of us up, but let us look beyond the “tree” that is Wong Yan Ke. Indeed, let us examine and critique the “wood” that is essentially the politicisation of our premier universities and the negative implications for academic autonomy, quality, and, most important, academic integrity. – October 17, 2019. 

* Gerak Executive Committee

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.



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Comments


  • Two Rs screwed up BN and is seen on its way to screw up PH too as the politicians are still blinded by sentiments. They have time and time again refused to be rational in formalizing good national policies that will bring the nation forward.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • SPV2030 is a "cruel" joke! By then, without new discoveries, our petroleum resources will run out and Malaysia will be bankrupt.

      Notice Shell and Exxon, the two largest international operators, are trying to sell off their upstream assets.

      A prediction of a bleak future for Malaysia?

      Posted 4 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • The academics would NOT had been so bold if they NOT had the covert support of racist and religious bigoted PH politicians.

    PH supporters should selectively and tactically vote AGAINST "undesirable" PH politicians in GE15 ...... especially ...... Langkawi ...... Muar ....... and even ...... Gombak (a PAS lackey) ....

    Forgoing three seats is no big deal when the East Malaysians are the kingmakers and UMNO now is very weak there and PAS is detested!

    PH supporters in Tanjong Piai should send a strong message to the PH leadership that PH elements who are racist, religious bigots, corrupted, devious Machiavellian, serial liars, back-stabbers, U-turners, etc, are NOT tolerated but be KICKED OUT!

    Posted 4 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • Mahathir 2020 Fail 2030 will also by mathay sure FAIL AGAIN.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply