No action against UM student over viral ‘tough’ question, says Zambry

PUTRAJAYA, October 20 — The Higher Education Ministry and Universiti Malaya have no plans to take action against the student who gained viral attention after asking a challenging question during the i-Future program. Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir reiterated the ministry's stance that students' right to freedom of expression ought to be respected, whilst denouncing any instance of abuse, insults, or threats on social media towards the student.

"My stance is unmistakable. Uphold students' right to voice their opinions. Amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 have granted them the space to express their views," Zambry stated in a statement shared on TikTok today.

Earlier, a video exceeding two minutes had gone viral, showcasing a Universiti Malaya Students’ Union representative challenging a panel during a dialogue session organized as part of the i-Future program. The student expressed concerns about leadership integrity and criticized the collection of public donations to aid former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in fulfilling the RM50 million fine imposed as part of the conditions for serving the remainder of his prison sentence for the SRC International case while under house arrest.

Regarding allegations of threats, abuse, and condemnation directed towards the student, Zambry asserted that such conduct should not take place and advised the student to file a police report to facilitate an investigation. He called for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to scrutinize the posts and accounts involved, including the possibility that fake accounts had been used.

Zambry urged all parties not to politicize the issue or exploit students for particular agendas. "I also urge everyone not to turn students into tools of political propaganda, to the extent that they become victims of certain agendas. For example, some ministers have even called for shirts, T-shirts and the like to be made, whereas at the MOHE level, we have absolutely no intention of taking any action against the student concerned," he said.