How are UM students responding to physical and political threats?

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UM Students Assert Resilience Against Threats Following Protest Altercation

Universiti Malaya students involved in a recent protest, who faced physical assault and threats from supporters of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, have declared their unwavering stance against intimidation. They have asserted that they fear no one and will not be deterred by physical or political coercion. The students are emphasizing the importance of defending their constitutional rights to dissent and free expression, viewing their actions as a legitimate exercise of democratic freedoms.
Commitment to Upholding Dissent Rights

Wong Yan Ke, one of the students manhandled during the incident, articulated that students must remain steadfast in protecting their constitutional right to dissent. He stressed that yielding to any form of pressure, whether physical or political, is unacceptable. Wong's statement, read outside the Pantai Baharu police headquarters, underscored the intellectual community's responsibility to uphold principles, speak truth to power, and defend their rights as Malaysian citizens.
Peaceful Protest Amidst Aggression

The protest involved a group of six students from the independent student organisation Umany, holding placards with slogans such as “Mana RM2.6bil” (Where’s the RM2.6 billion) and “Pulangkan Duit Raykat [sic]” (Return The People’s Money). Wong alleged that supporters of Datuk Seri Najib Razak became aggressive after the protesters refused to hand over their placards. He described being subjected to racist insults, hair-pulling, strangulation, slapping, and the destruction of their belongings, characterizing the encounter as indicative of a "gangsters and mobs" culture.
Seeking Accountability and Public Apology

Following the incident, the affected students filed a police report. The confrontation, captured on video and widely circulated online, has drawn condemnation, including from some Umno leaders. Wong Yan Ke has publicly called for Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his supporters involved in the altercation to issue a public apology for what he described as a disrespect of their human rights and the suppression of their right to free expression.

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How are UM students responding to physical and political threats?

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