NST Leader: Beneath the UM fracas

Take the recent protest by a graduand at Universiti Malaya’s convocation ceremony. Some are saying the incident is a prime example of polarisation rearing its ugly head. Apparently the Malay Dignity Congress held a week earlier had triggered it. Some adjudged the congress to be an affront to Malaysian sensibilities. They further concluded that the UM vice-chancellor should not have been there. It was also alleged that he had uttered a racist remark.

To what do we owe this polarisation? A freer Malaysia? Economic disparity? The popularity of social media and the crisis of journalism and traditional media may have a hand in encouraging it. Posts are made viral, the more radical the post, the more agitated netizens become. You are either with or against us. Such racialist tendencies make it difficult to reach a compromise.

The nation should also launch into a series of solidarity dialogues. Malaysians are now freer to voice their dissatisfaction. It’s a right, but there is a time and place for it. Protests by students in Western countries, for example, are not uncommon, but they are not staged during functions. A convocation is a time to honour educational achievements, not a place to hold protests or carry placards.

Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

NST Leader: Going streamless?NSTleader The logic is that streaming had resulted in a mismatch, where “science-inclined” students ended up in arts, and the “arts-inclined” were streamed into science. Critics decry streaming as outdated. This is not true . Aptitude n attitude test will show which is which
Source: NST_Online - 🏆 17. / 53 Read more »

NST Region: Manny Pacquiao to star in historical biopic 'Malvar'NSTregion: There was resistance to Pacquiao being cast in the role of late revolutionary leader General Miguel Malvar, but his grandson Jose Malvar Villegas Jr shrugged off the criticisms.
Source: NST_Online - 🏆 17. / 53 Read more »

NST Region: Prominent Vietnamese 'toll booth' protesters jailedSEVEN “toll protesters” have failed to convince a court of their case in an appeal to reverse an earlier guilty verdict for causing public disorder at a toll booth.
Source: NST_Online - 🏆 17. / 53 Read more »

NST Region: House where Orwell's 'Burmese Days' was written now a museumA HOUSE in the Katha township of Sagaing, Myanmar, where renowned British novelist George Orwell once lived, has been turned into a museum.
Source: NST_Online - 🏆 17. / 53 Read more »

NST Region: India, Philippines link arms to fight terrorism, extremismNSTregion:During a bilateral meeting, President Rodrigo Duterte and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind also agreed to work closely to fight terrorism and trans-boundary threats.
Source: NST_Online - 🏆 17. / 53 Read more »

NST Region: In Cambodia, PappaRich serves up Msian culinary favouritesNSTregion:Bringing the best of Malaysia to Cambodia, the restaurant serves all the gastronomic must-haves: teh tarik, chicken rice, hokkien noodles, ABC and more.
Source: NST_Online - 🏆 17. / 53 Read more »