YOURSAY 'We feel sorry that intellectual integrity and honesty are not highly valued and have no place in our universities.'

Aziz Bari: I fear the worst is yet to come

your say Cala: Prof Abdul Aziz Bari, your current predicament in many ways is predictable. Broadly, it can be deciphered in at least two ways.

First, when you start questioning the correctness or otherwise of the Selangor sultan's view on certain issues, at stake is the traditional authority of Malay rulers and their religious councils.

If every man gets to decide on anything based on logic and irrefutable knowledge, what role can they play?

The ‘path dependency theory' points to the need to maintain existing institutions.

Second, not every man is at the same stage of growth and economic development. The latter (economic development) requires a higher level of understanding of man and his purpose in life, which is beyond GDP per capita. The big word is "enlightenment".

Put it differently, to ask a caveman to read your mind and thoughts is an impossible task. In sum, you have my respect, sir.

But why should we treat ‘reputable academician' with respect? What is the difference between Prof Abdul Aziz and ‘kedai kopi' gossip?

Both questions may simply be answered as follows. The former, whenever he talks, bases his words on social fact or irrefutable knowledge, which can be tested as to its authenticity.

As an example, a serious research is grounded on prescribed methodology, on certain phenomena, whose pattern of occurrence may be challenged by another researcher. This explains the reason why a good researcher must open his finding for public scrutiny.

On the other hand, ‘kedai kopi' gossips do not involve rigorous scientific research and hence, as expected, command no serious attention.

The trouble is, not many would accept hard facts, much less if the facts have put them in a bad light.

Keturunan Malaysia: Abdul Aziz Bari, you have to be made an example. They have nothing else left, except rule by fear.

Though easier said than done, you have reach the stage where, as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "You will gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.

"You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along."'

Nik V: What a coincidence, Aziz, that your suspension got lifted just before PM Najib Razak's visit to Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (Najib was represented by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hisham). The good thing is, they are as predictable as a pack of hyenas.

You must know that you have to act in your best interest to protect yourself from their attempts. You are a much smarter and wiser intellectual than any five of them put together.

Swipenter: Abdul Aziz, those behind the witch-hunt against you are just carrying out a tactical retreat in the face of the students protests and public anger at the treatment meted out to you.

They are actually sending a strong message to other academicians who, like you, are independent-minded and are not afraid to voice out views publicly without fear or favour. They want to tame academicians like you.

Aziz, you are blacklisted and your working life in UIA may never be the same again.

For that, we feel very sorry that intellectual integrity and honesty are not highly valued and has no place in our universities.

Academicians demand end to probe against Aziz Bari

One Hand Cover The Sky: First, they infuriated the other races. Then they infuriated the Christians. Now, they're infuriating all the country's right-thinking academicians. Wonder who's next in line?

Abil: At last, we see some semblance of independent scholars who are not afraid to defend their colleagues.

However, these scholars should also stand for righteousness in safeguarding the rights of civilians if theirs too have been trampled on by the powers-that-be.

They should jointly voice their displeasure if our country is not following set rules. They should voice their displeasure if for political reasons one is put under ISA (or other similar laws), as in the case of Dr D Jeyakumar.

They should jointly safeguard our system of governance.

Anak Bangsa Malaysia: I believe all like-minded intellectuals should come together and show unity by having a peaceful gathering in Merdeka Stadium and show the authorities that there must be freedom of expression and assembly.

Today, we cannot have an assembly unless it is organised by Umno. We cannot speak as intellectuals unless we are from Umno. We cannot speak a slightest thing about the royal family unless it comes from Umno.

 

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