UMS Student Defends Burning Anwar’s Caricature by Citing PM’s Own Book-Burning Past
UMS Students Burn Caricature of PM Anwar During Anti-Corruption Rally
A student protest at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has triggered nationwide debate after participants burned a caricature of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally last weekend.
The protest, organised by student group Suara Mahasiswa UMS, was held to condemn unresolved corruption allegations involving Sabah’s water department. The caricature bore the label “Madani Pelindung Rasuah Sabah” (Madani: Protector of Sabah’s Corrupt) and was torched in public view.
Authorities have since launched an investigation under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Penal Code, citing concerns over national harmony and respect towards leadership figures.
Sedition Act: A Colonial Tool With Lingering Power
The Sedition Act 1948, initially introduced by British colonial rulers, criminalises actions and expressions deemed to have “seditious tendencies.” These may include creating hatred or discontent against the government or monarchy — definitions that are often viewed as vague and open to broad interpretation.
Despite being a legacy of colonial rule, the Act remains enforceable in Malaysia today, often resurfacing during politically charged incidents like this.
PKR Youth: “Barbaric” and “Excessive”
Kamil Munim, head of Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) — the youth wing of Prime Minister Anwar’s party, condemned the act as “barbaric” and “overboard”, stating that such disrespect has no place in a civilised democracy.
Student Cites Anwar’s Own History of Book Burning in Response
In response to the backlash, one UMS student took to Twitter to draw a historical parallel, sharing archival photos of a young Anwar Ibrahim burning a book written by Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, in the 1970s.
“I burned Anwar’s face in Sabah because I took Anwar burning Tunku Abdul Rahman’s book as an example,” the student wrote.
The book in question, titled “13 Mei: Sebelum dan Selepas”, was a personal account of the 1969 racial riots. Anwar, then a student activist and member of the Malay Language Society of Universiti Malaya (PBMUM), led a public book-burning protest claiming the book promoted a biased version of events.
While some hailed the protest as a political statement against power imbalance, others criticised Anwar for destroying historical material and undermining intellectual freedom.
A Sarcastic Nod to Irony
The student concluded his thread with a sarcastic reflection:
“I think Anwar Ibrahim, after watching our video, will be moved to recall his memories at the University of Malaya in the 70s. But that’s just a feeling, my friend. The reality is that Anwar is now the Prime Minister of Malaysia, not a student activist.”
This layered response has reignited conversations on activism, hypocrisy, and freedom of expression, with many Malaysians torn between sympathising with youthful dissent and upholding respect for national leaders.
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Source: X
https://x.com/fxdhilss/status/1937087086684934415
By Tarziman — 24/06/2025, 03:50 PM
