It is such an outrageous "uproar" effect this video has brought to our nation, be it to the group of students, to the academicians, or even to the civilians out there.
Viewing a playback of this, it had sent me a strong great urge to write in expressing my humblest 2cents opinion, NOT as a degree holder of a university, but merely, simply, as a modest Malaysian citizen.
As much as many others had gone through in life, I had gone through the same of many phases being in primary, secondary, as well as in the tertiary educational levels. We have always been instilled to be confident, to be brave, to have courage, to diminish our fears, to be at forefront to express opinions, its a 2-way communications, to exchange thoughts, to clarify doubts, to accept criticism...and the credentials list just goes on...bla bla bla...
But to my utmost sane mind, I found this video scene a little disturbing and indeed, a disgraceful incident, a shame to many, generally...to the distinguished educators and academicians, specifically.
I do acknowledged that Madam Sharifah Zohra Jabeen Syed Shah Miskin is one bright such eloquent and articulate individual, as based on her ability to dazzle the words vividly and fluently with her facile tongue. However, unfortunately as someone being in the position to lead, she had failed to deliberate and to respond with focus or even with substance to KS Bawani's motion. And who is KS Bawani? She is a degree holder in Psychology from UKM. And now a law student in UUM, pursuing her 2nd degree in tertiary educational level and is very much still an undergraduate. Madam speaker failed to respond efficaciously to an undergraduate?
Having to witness the unprofessional act and respond makes me wonder, igniting doubts over her ability in facing other far more greater challenges ahead of time as the President of Suara Wanita 1Malaysia (SW1M)...or...if she is the right candidate to even uphold the presidency of SW1M.
1Listen...
"...Listen...Listen...Listen...Listen...Listen...Listen...Listen..."...repeated for 7 times.
"...Question No.1, in this programme we allow you to speak. No.2, when I speak, you listen."
Listen to others in order to be heard. When we fail to listen, we will fail to deliberate effectively and wisely. When we opt to stop listening to others, others will do exactly just that, in return.
2Respect...
Abruptly stopped someone from finishing their lines of thoughts / minds...
Pulling the mic away from the person when they are still speaking...
Engaging crowds as supporters with the intention to humiliate the person openly...
"...did I give her respect?..."
"...I came out to her, shook hands to her and gave her respect as another woman..."
"...kita tak burukkan you ye..."
Respect is to be earned. Not demanded. Level of education one has, indeed, is not the determinant or the indicator that one is with the ability to fully understand what RESPECT defines as...and by thanking & shaking ones hand for few seconds DOES NOT acknowledge that one has already pays the respect to another.
3Comparisons made to other countries...
"...jangan samakan negara kita dengan negara lain..."
"...sekiranya negara malaysia disamakan dengan negara lain, what are you doing in malaysia?..."
"...go to Cuba...go to Argentina...go to Libya...go to everywhere..."
Comparisons to other countries are very much relevant towards the nation's growth, be it economically or even generally as a whole, in reaching Malaysian 2020's vision. If we are not supposed to compare with other nations in other countries, then this would be a contradicting statement to the governments effort implementing Look East Policy for the last 30 years, which had been first introduced and took effect back from 1982. It is still very much in place at current and it is still relevant for the next 30 years.
4Personal judgement...
"...because all the students in this hall are happy with whatever the government does for them..."
and,
"...di sini hari ini, cik, setiap satu manusia dalam sini semua ada pendidikan..."
"...and today am very sorry that simultaneously you have proven that you have the very least of pendidikan..."
"...do you know what pendidikan you need?..."
"...No.1 respect the adults...respect the adults..."
"...No.2 always have a differentiation gap between age...that's why you have your mother, grandmother, daughter, child, babies..."
and;
"...no matter what you say, you are still in UUM...respect you by all means, you are still here...if you are not happy, you are very much suitable to go to another university..."
Personal judgements are not the main agenda and objective of SW1M. As the President, I believe Madam speaker is very well-versed with those of which has been outlined in leading this Non-Profit Organization (NGO). Emotional responds as such were completely irrelevant to Bawani's voiced issues.
5Animal rights...
"...do you think only humans have problems?..."
"...animals have problems...kucing ada masalah...anjing ada masalah...lembu kambing pun ada masalah...ikan ada masalah...kita manusia lebih rakus daripada ikan...and you tau tak binatang apa yg paling bnyk ada masalah?...ikan jerung...pernah makan shark's fin soup?..."
Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB), Society to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), PAWS Animal Welfare Society and Save a Stray (SAS) are amongst the many animal rights organizations established to tackle issues pertaining to animal rights. Let us leave these issues to the NGOs as mentioned. I believe, issues on animal rights are not included as part of the agenda by organizing Forum Suara Mahasiswa in UUM recently.
6Behold a stand...Behold the right principles...
I am indeed on the same page with Guna Raj, on his uploaded photo of the UUM students clapping, with imprinted text of...
"Please think carefully before you clap..."
On what grounds do we extend our support to Madam speaker, specifically pertaining to how she responded to Bawani's motion?
On what principle do the many in the hall gave a big round of applause to Madam speaker's calling out in engaging support to her intention in humiliating Bawani?...and at the same time uttered... "kita tak burukkan u yea.."...
When Bawani voiced out her issues, a BIG round of applause from the many in the hall, giving support to Bawani.
When Madam speaker called out to gather support, not in favour of Bawani, a BIG round of applause from the many in the hall, giving support to Madam speaker...
WHERE do we stand? In fact, what ARE our stands? WHAT are we fighting for by having such of this event?
When emotion overruled intelligence, ill and cruel intentions became crystal clear, overpowered the sacred struggle set in the first place.
To Bawani, kudos to you!...I sincerely commend you, on your bravery to be able to walk to the mic, surpassed the rest of your fellowmates, speaking courageously and openly addressing your concerns on behalf of the Malaysians.
You stood your ground. You inspired your nation.
I am with you.
