INTERVIEW "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strength. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength."

NONE This is a quote that aptly encapsulates the feisty spirit of student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim, 24, who was again in the media spotlight following his five-day remand in the Jinjang police lock-up for allegedly uttering seditious remarks.

Even after he had been charged and released on bail on Thursday, Adam ( left ) remained unperturbed, with talk of great change and a better future for Malaysia.

Speaking to Malaysiakini in an interview yesterday at a restaurant, Adam appeared fatigued and pallid, but his desire for a change in the country was reflected in his voice.

Adam was charged under the Sedition Act 1948 for remarks made during a speech at a forum that allegedly urged people to topple the government through street rallies.

But the short stint in the police cell only strengthened his resolve, he said.

"The days of being detained gave me a lot of time to think about what's really happening in this country. It made me think of ways to improve it," the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student said, looking contemplative.

'A greater cause, a better nation'

He said there is potential for change in the country, and that the people are ready for it.

"We've come to a stage where we no longer think of our selfish needs, but for others, for a greater cause, a better nation. I can see it."

kedah black rally 220513 2 Adam flashed a warm smile as he remembered the candlelight vigils held in his support in front of the Jinjang police lock-up and various cities in the country.

"They made it all worth the struggle, and these people - who have come together to resurrect democracy - are the reason I love this country," he said.

While he believed the ruling coalition's attempts to arrest their opposition foes and poison minds with their toxic talks of racism are "nasty", they remain intimidated by the people.

"They may bring down their enemies, but not the people," he said confidently.