IT IS important that Malaysians understand what led to ousting of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

It was the student protest in response to a quota system that was discriminatory. Many may be confused when the issue of racial discrimination and violence against ethnic minorities (notably Hindus) is now being raised.

Is it ethnic discrimination or just clashes between those that ousted the PM and those who still support the ousted PM? One must be critical about media reports, including those in Malaysia, as some prefer to paint it as ethnic enmities/conflicts rather than it being anti-government because of the quota system and government failings.

This is also relevant for Malaysia as similar issue of discontent is prevalent in the country. The discontent with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Madani government is growing.

Unlike his predecessors, people expected so much reform and changes till they decided to shift their support from the UMNO/Barisan Nasional (BN)-led coalition which was in power since 1957 to Pakatan Harapan (PH) since the 14^th General Election (GE14) in May 2018.

Anger and discontent rise when the Madani government has been seeing abandoning the promised reforms and seemingly adopting and continuing with the then unjust BN policies and practices.

Speaking up on global matters

The once strong ‘student power’ in Malaysia seems to have disappeared - students today no longer champion the causes of the people and the poor.

They seem to have become ‘self-centred’ by focusing on their studies just like what the government has always wanted.

Of late, the issues pertinent to Malaysian students are that of academic freedom, freedom of association/expression and peaceful assembly in universities. Have they forgotten that they are both Malaysians and members of the global community?

Shouldn’t they be raising issues close to the heart of Malaysians or are taking public stances for the betterment of the country?

Should they also relate to what is happening in Palestine, Myanmar, Bangladesh, too - after all, the student-powered Undi18 movement has successfully reduced the minimum eligible age for voting in Malaysia from 21 years old to 18 years old.

Ironically, Anwar was silent about the protests that led to the killing of more than 266 Bangladeshi students with thousands injured - a violation of one’s right to peaceful assembly and other human rights.

I believe that the first time Anwar spoke out was to congratulate Dr Muhammad Yunus on his recent appointment as chief adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh.

Given that Malaysians comprising individuals and groups have expressed grave concern that minorities were at risk, Anwar spoke up by saying that Yunus has given him the assurance - “I am very pleased that Prof Yunus has given his assurances to protect the rights of all Bangladeshis, including minorities.’

We want a PM who is committed to justice and human rights, and will speak up when injustices and violations of human rights happens in Malaysia or in anywhere else in the world but not limited to the plight of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Will Malaysian students be inspired by the Bangladesh student protests and start speaking out against injustices and human rights violations? Will they speak their view on policies and law reforms - or will they continue being silent? -  Aug 17, 2024

Human rights advocate and lawyer Charles Hector is also the co-founder of the Malaysians Against Death Penalty & Torture (MADPET). 

https://focusmalaysia.my/will-malaysian-students-be-inspired-by-their-bangladeshi-peers-who-managed-to-kick-out-a-bad-pm/