An open letter to Abdul Manaf Ariffin

Yang Dipertua Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar UPM,

Dear Abdul Manaf,

How old are you now? 23? You are not new to this student council business. You have got plenty of past experience in dealing with SMM and have counted on the ever reliable student affairs department to back you up in the past. 'You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours', but I suspect you are fast becoming a liability rather than an asset.

Has it ever crossed your mind to think that your behavior is embarrassing? I mean, after watching the recent recording in which UPM pro-establishment students harassed the independent camp students, I blushed on your behalf.

As president of the UPM's student representative council, it is good for morale to be active at the grassroots. Unfortunately, there is a huge difference in being seen by the rest of the student population to be acting like a complete idiot. You know, I can understand it is very important to be visible in campus politics, but the brand of leadership on display on July 17was not only juvenile, it was downright criminal.

I am very sorry for your parents, your family, your friends, and everyone who actually knows you personally. More importantly, you have brought shame and disgraced to an institution I hold dear. Why should UPM turn into an animal farm because of your zoo-like behavior?

Granted, we are not Ivy league.Yet, it is painful to watch UPM students, least of all a student leader, behaving like a hooligan, incapable of reason, decorum or any sense of self respect. Have you even apologised to anyone so far, particularly your fellow students whom you have had a hand in harrasing, demeaning and intimidating?

I do not expect you to turn around and become a champion of student rights. I do not believe in miracles. All I hope is that you realise that your actions not only speak volumes of you as a person, but also of the students you claim to represent.