"Read!"
It is not an accident why in our Prophet - Muhammad S.A.W. when he received his first revelation (wahyu) the Angel ask him to read. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad
I'm not going to tell you the whole story of the Revelation. However, I would like to share my opinion of the relevancy of the important of reading to what had happened to our student, recently.
Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia.
I once a "mahasiswa", a gradute from University of Malaya (UM) and I'm not a fan of Majlis Perwakilan Mahasiswa (MPM) where the election is held once a year) I did vote, naively believe that my vote can make a difference to the University and, it was hopeless, waste of time. There's not much of changing and many of us don't care enough about them. I somehow rather be outside living outside of University and only experience one year of staying in the hostel. It's horrible! I have to walk estimated 40 minutes from my hostel to my Faculty and the bus service was suck (at that time. I'm not sure how is it NOW). So, I give up on staying the hostel for the next semester (although I'm actively involved with their curriculum activities) and just sharing with another 9 students in one apartment.
Oh well, enough with the memory lane..
Early morning of 1st January 2012 is another event that I shall take note. Not because of the fireworks, silly! Because, 70 students include young people from many background decided that midnite to gather and to demonstrate at in front of University Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Tanjung Malim and their objective is to show to our current government that it's time for Academic Freedom.
Who is Solidiriti Mahasiswa Malaysia? Well, I did try to google their website or their blog, and this appeared, "This Site May Harm Your Computer," .. duh.. Anyway, from the local newspaper that I read, SMM sounded like a bunch of rebelious student and there is a lot of people have their own different opinion. Some impressed - good comment. Some angry and frustrated. Some don't care.
I remember Adam Adli, one of the member who lowered Najib's flag that was fluttering in front of PWTC building. When I read about it, I was amazed how daring this guy was. And many have salute him for his action and many have condemmed. I'm trying to understand why this student did that. Hurm.. he just want to give "feedback" to our current Prime Minister, "hey PM dude, you need to walk the talk,"
However to me, this group is potential to give influence to the policy maker in future IF only they do not take any side of many political party in Malaysia and manifest their objective according to their principle. They need to be free and neutral. Anyway, this is still an early stage of knowing what will happen to this group of student and how it's going to effect our next election in 2012. My concern is when they become influential, they become a body and shall require strong faundation and that is include financially. Who's going to fund them? *note to Solidarity of Indonesian Students*
Anyway, I do agree with Dr. Mahathir and he said that a student need to finish their studies before they want to be involved in politics. However, don't our student (above 18 years) also have a right to express their opinion about this beloved country and do whatever it takes to make sure the current Government listen to the People. Don't the student (above 21 years) have the right to vote? They, same like the rest of the citizen of Malaysia, have the ability to respond to what had happen to the Country and to the People. Why are they not allowed to exercise their right?! Why are their right been suppressed under Akta Udang-Undang Kolej & Universiti (AUKU).
Student Power
I read a lot during my studies years in UM. I read about human rights, democracy, separation of power, our history, our previous leader and that include leader from the opposition during our fight to freedom from the colonial rule, our Indepence Day, and many more. I read it not only for my exam but, because of the knowledge that I received.
One sweet day, these students are going to be an educator in future and maybe at this moment, they realized something valueable for themselves and they are fight for their freedom! Their freedom to educate the next generation accordingly and not according to the current government's policy.
How many policy have we experience since Independence Day? Everytime when the UMNO Prime Minister changed, they develop a new policy, i.e: Dasar Pandang Ke Timor, Dasar Penswastaan, Dasar Economi Baru, and many more. And our current Prime Minister now is promoting Dasar Tansformation and 1Malaysia. It's really sounds nice for advertising and what is the action plan? And congratulation on our precious Peaceful Assembly Bi(u)ll****!!
Come on, give us a break!! Give the student a break!! Should I go further to our current Education System?
How are we(the fellow citizen and our learned student) going to have an independent mind, thought and opinion? Why aren't we be allowed to exercise our right under the Federal Constitution? What kind of news that our mainstream media have been shove to our mind? It's full of racism, defamation, crap, lies and manipulation!!
This is why we need to read between the line. Read it using our better understanding about what is right and what is wrong, and using our heart to identified the truth and not blindly accept anybody who said so and so without think.
So, yeah.. I salute those people who stand by the truth, say the truth and nothing but the truth ~
“I'm worried that students will take their obedient place in society and
look to become successful cogs in the wheel - let the wheel spin them around as
it wants without taking a look at what they're doing. I'm concerned that
students not become passive acceptors of the official doctrine that's handed
down to them from the White House, the media, textbooks, teachers and preachers”
― Howard Zinn
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