“Didn’t you ban him in the past?” – UM’s Congratulatory Message to Anwar Receives Flak

It appears that many former critics of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have turned over a new leaf.

Recently, Universiti Malaya joined in the list of congratulating Anwar for his appointment as PM.

In a post on social media, UM congratulated Anwar who is an alumni of UM’s Department of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts back in 1971.

Tahniah diucapkan kepada YAB Dato' Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, Alumni Jabatan Pengajian Melayu, Fakulti Sastera tahun 1971 UM, di atas pelantikan sebagai Perdana Menteri ke-10.#ServingTheNation#ImpactingTheWorld#WithYouItsPossible pic.twitter.com/liXhmQMr36

— Universiti Malaya (@unimalaya) November 25, 2022

Previous actions against Anwar

However, UM’s congratulatory message didn’t go down well amongst Malaysians who criticised the public university for their actions towards him back in the past.

“Don’t you remember back in 2014 when you guys closed the gates on him and didn’t let him enter into UM. I was there.”

“You guys owe those brave students an apology,” commented another user who pointed out the instance where the administration of the university had suspended students for inviting Anwar to give a talk in UM,” said another user.

Back in 2014, it was reported that the university had barred Anwar from entering the university’s grounds ahead of an event he was supposed to be speak in called ’40 Years: From UM to Prison’.

According to reports, UM’s deputy vice-chancellor had even ordered students not to go to the event.

Anwar himself was critical of the issue and that the university’s administration lacked spine and it was illogical for the university to say that his presence on the campus would tarnish its image.

The university has yet to respond to the criticisms by Malaysians.

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