UM Student Who Called Donating To Najib The “Stupidest” Act Stands By Remark Despite Harassment
The student said she would not apologise for her remark.
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Universiti Malaya (UM) student Ummi Umairah Bakhit has said that she stands by her remarks about public donations to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, despite facing online harassment and threats
In an Instagram post yesterday, 19 September, Ummi said she would not apologise for describing the act of donating to Najib as the "stupidest" during a dialogue with former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
"I stand by my question. I will never apologise. Because donating hard-earned money to elitists is, yes, the stupidest and most immoral thing.
"I hope more people find the courage to speak up about corruption and integrity, without fear," she said.
Ummi also expressed her disappointment over the cyberbullying, political obsession, feudalistic mindsets, and emotional loyalty following her remarks. She said that critics only focused on "stupidest" and "Najib Razak", while "feudalism", "corruption", "facts", and "data" were left out of the discourse.
"That tells you something, parts of society aren't waking up to the critique. They're just triggered by words they claim lack adab (manners)," she said.
Ummi has faced bullying and threats after criticising the donation drive to help Najib pay the RM50 million fine required for his house arrest
According to the New Straits Times, Ummi said netizens had threatened to have her expelled from the university, harassed her, and made comments about her appearance.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil condemned the cyberbullying Ummi faced.
"We can have different views, that's not a problem. In Ummi's case, she expressed her views and we know that university students now have the right to speak up.
"So, we should welcome this because she has not violated any laws, nor has she committed any criminal offence. She only addressed matters concerning the crime of corruption," said Fahmi.
Meanwhile, Ummi said Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli assured her that she would not be expelled or face disciplinary action.
It is understood that her recent Instagram post was also reposted by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Below is the video of Ummi asking the question about corruption during the recent dialogue:
