UM Alumni Expresses Anger Over University’s Treatment of UM Grad Who Protested at Convocation

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Back in 2019, Universiti Malaya (UM) graduate, Wong Yan Ke made national headlines after he staged a solitary protest during his own convocation calling for the resignation of the university’s Vice Chancellor at the time.

In 2020, it was reported that he was charged over the protest. Wong, who is currently a Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) coordinator was recently ordered by a magistrates’ court to enter his defence on the charge of insulting the former Vice-Chancellor.

Following which, an alumni of UM has expressed his disappointment with the university over the situation.

In a Facebook post, Carlson said, “Consider this an open letter to my alma mater, University of Malaya.”

“The whole situation with Wong Yan Ke is so bizarre and I am generally disappointed with the outcome, but more so at the university. The police report made by UM is unnecessary,” he wrote.

“A university that houses students from all walks of life which co-organised a single race congress had the audacity to lodge a police report onto a student who called out the university and the ex-VC during the graduation ceremony.”

“If you think he shouldn’t protest on a coming together ceremony, the protest wouldn’t even occur if UM had not coorganised the Malay Dignity Congress,” added Carlson.

Carlson also pointed out that the ex VC, Abdul Rahim Hashim had allegedly said during the congress that GE14 had eliminated Malay political dominance and asserted that Malay privileges were being questioned.

Yan Ke Wong was charged with Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace, which carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment.

“The irony is that a student who made a Nazi salute during the graduation ceremony at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, which prompted condemnation from the German embassy and worldwide, did not face legal action.”

“Another irony is that while UM lodged a police report on Yan Ke, UM did not lodge a police report on a lecturer that sexually harassed his student. The student herself has to make the report. That shows the priority of UM,” condemned Carlson.

Furthermore, he said that it’s annoying how a university that says they uphold freedom of expression is stifling them.

“Worst, a top 100 QS-ranked university intends to manufacture robots, not humans that dare to speak against the system. And that’s a shame,” he stated.

He then urged the public to lend a hand in supporting Yan Ke. “I sincerely hope this is the last time UM will lodge a police report just because a student from the university rightfully utilises his freedom of expression to speak up.”

“Solidarity Wong Yan Ke,” he concluded his letter to the university.

His letter has amassed plenty of attention and currently sits on over 370 likes and 171 shares on Facebook. Plenty of netizens took to the comments section to share their sentiments.

Do you agree with Carlson’s letter to the university? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: UM Graduate Behind ‘VC Resign’ Convocation Protest To Be Charged Today, Faces 2 Years Jail