COMMENT | I'm ashamed over young activists' banner burning

COMMENT | I would like to comment on the burning of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's banner by a group of young people, including university students.

I am 63 years old, and I was 36 when Anwar was taken away by balaclava-clad police officers with machine guns. I remember this event like it was yesterday.

I may have forgotten many things, like my students’ names from UTM, but I never forget the days of reformasi after 27 years.

I remember when Malaysiakini came to be. I remember the fearlessness of the late Raja Petra Kamarudin with his “Mahazalim” and also the courage of Ahmad Lutfi Othman of Harakah.

These were the dark days when former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad controlled all, and religious institutions, universities and the civil servants were all silent.

Yet, I remember the leaders of reformasi from PAS, PKR, DAP and Gerak never staged a demonstration of burning the banner of a democratically elected leader. I’m ashamed of these young people for not knowing the adab of Malay and Malaysian politics.

For the issue of Musa Aman, it was the Sabah chief minister's choice, not Anwar. For the Sabah water woes, we have seen the MACC raid at the Water Works Department, not Anwar.

As for the so-called whistleblower, I understand he is the first and admitted corrupter who plays the victim.

The MACC will be charging him, and that would be what I would have done myself. Finally, the accused are all Sabahan politicians. Where does Anwar fit into the picture to be a cause for burning?

Take the fight to Sabahans

The students should have taken the fight to the Sabah people, not burn banners of anyone. I would even reject the act of stepping on the pictures of our politicians. Biadap (rude).

For me, anyone who does wrong deserves to be pointed out in a clear and levelled manner, not shouting on the streets with placards that have no credibility of facts or history.

I salute Malaysians in Sabah who did not participate in this demonstration by a small group of misguided, impatient and inexperienced young people.

The future of Malaysia lies with those with experience, practice and wisdom from long exposure to our society and politics. Not just anyone with a blowhorn.

Go demonstrate to the Sabahans, as at the end of the day, it is the Sabahans who determine their destiny, not Anwar. When Anwar dies or retires, who else will you blame as prime minister?

Look into the mirror and ask yourself that question before burning another banner.

TAJUDDIN RASDI is a professor of Islamic architecture at UCSI University.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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