First they came for the opposition members (Anwar/Rafizi/Tony Pua/Karpal Singh), and I did not speak out

Because I wasn’t an opposition member.

Then they came for the government dissenters (Muhyiddin/Shafie/Mukhriz), and I did not speak out -

Because I wasn’t a government dissenter.

Then they came for the civil servants (MACC/Bank Negara/Threats to those who attended Bersih), and I did not speak out -

Because I wasn’t a civil servant.

Then they came for the Youth (Fahmi Reza/Hanif Mahpa/Afiqah Zulkifli), and I did not speak out -

Because I was not a youth.

Then they finally came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.

When will we rise up?

When will realise that inaction is the engine to tyranny?

Wake up Malaysians!

Wake up!

SYED SADDIQ SYED ABDUL RAHMAN is a part-time lecturer at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Malaysia and is Asia’s best debater, winning the United Asia Debate Championship in May 2015.