I refer to the letter Negarakuku: Let's move on . Some people need to learn life's lessons the hard way and Malaysian student Wee Meng Chee a.k.a. Namewee was no exception. He learned the lesson of a lifetime when his mockery of the national anthem which he called 'Negarakuku' got him into big time trouble. But it is frustrating is to note how this 'Negarakuku' issue has been politicised, both by the political parties and also those clamouring to champion the values of human rights.

For Umno, Wee's 'Negarakuku' rap is seen as an insult to the Malays and Umno. How so? Is Malaysia only home to the Malays? Is the national anthem exclusive only to one particular race? The ever-so-emotional Umno would never see Wee's 'Negarakuku' rap as an insult to all Malaysians rather than just to the Malays. It is heartbreaking to see that the rhetoric and propaganda by the government have failed to give the Indians and Chinese a sense of belonging in Malaysia.

Wee might have thought of having some fun at the expense of Malaysia and never bothered to wonder how the people back home would react to his mischief. Here is a Malaysian youngster who has negative views of his country to the point that he has decided it is alright to take a knock at Malaysia, irrespective of how distasteful the endeavour might be.

For the MCA Youth, they have pleaded that this issue of 'Negarakuku' be done with. Is it because the person in question is a Chinese? Put race aside. The crux of the matter is that if this boy has reservations about being a Malaysian, he should - by virtue of being a university student - know how to vent out his frustrations rather than to use online technology and disgrace the country globally.

If Wee's actions were not bad enough, the 'champions' of the human rights should be more astute rather than to offer a knee-jerk reaction and defend the boy's actions using 'freedom of expression' as their ammunition. No doubt the Federal Constitution provides for the freedom of speech and expression but insulting your country's national anthem is certainly no way of respecting the freedom provided. If Wee's action is to be excused under the guise that he has the constitutional right to speak his mind, then really, God save Malaysia!

A joint statement on the 'Negarakuku' issued by Alliance for Media Independence (Wami), the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Policy Research Institute (IKD) adamantly stated that the constitution guarantees Malaysians freedom to celebrate 'Merdeka' in any peaceful way they prefer. The keyword would be 'peaceful' and Wee's mockery of the national anthem was anything but peaceful.

It is regrettable that Wami, CIJ and IKD have completely missed the point in addressing the issue of Wee and 'Negarakuku'.Yes, they are right in stating that 'bigotry and hostility can only be addressed and eliminated under open and rational debates where everyone respects each other's freedom of expression insofar no violence is used or advocated'. However, insulting your national anthem can certainly perpetuate violence if the issue smacks even the slightest bit of racial undercurrents. And Wee's 'Negarakuku' had those racial inclinations.

So, please, let us stop maligning, abusing and misusing the word 'freedom' to suit our convenience. The caveat not to abuse the freedom provided by the law and to not abuse the fundamentals of human rights must be taken seriously. To condemn and criticise something that holds a place of respect is an action that cannot be excused under any circumstances.

The perpetrator has to learn his lesson and learn it well. One can only hope that Wee has learnt his lesson well and should he have any further objections about being a Malaysian, he should use the valid platforms available to express his dissatisfactions.