It was meant to be a forum involving
university students, but in the end one of the panellists had only
wanted her views to be heard. That was the often drawn conclusion of
Internet users after watching a video of a forum for Universiti Utara
Malaysia students which took place last month.
The 24-minute clipdepicted
an exchange between panellist Sharifah Zohra Jabeen Syed Shah Miskin
and student KS Bawani, which has become a hot topic of discussion on Facebook and Internet forums.
Bawani had spoken out from the floor
against the forum organisers for what she believes was their wrongful
presentation of electoral reform coalition BERSIH and its leaders, S
Ambiga and A Samad Said.
She also pointed out that a number
countries could afford to offer free education up to the university
level and asked, to the applause of the audience, why Malaysia couldn’t
do so.
‘Listen to me’
Midway through Bawani’s response,
Sharifah Zohra left the stage and stood in front of her. Since Bawani
was unmoved to Sharifah Zohra’s intimidation tactics, the latter decided
to cut her off.
Sharifah Zohra said “listen” about 10 times before taking away the microphone. This was when the browbeating began.
“Number one, this is our programme and we’re allowed to speak. Number two, when I speak, (you) listen,” demanded Sharifah Zohra.
The plucky Bawani protested to no avail for being abruptly interrupted, but Sharifah Zohra would have none of it.
“Let me speak,” she said seven times, before reiterating points she had made in her presentation earlier.
She said that she had called Ambiga an
“instigator of demonstrations” and mocked Bawani for supporting calls
for free higher education.
“Don’t equate Malaysia with other
countries. If you (want to do so), what are you doing in Malaysia?
Listen. What are you doing in Malaysia? Go to Cuba, Argentina, Libya,
everywhere. Because, you know what? All the students in this hall are
happy with what the government have done for them,” said Sharifah Zohra,
followed by applause from the floor.
From fish to quadrupeds
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From fish to quadrupeds