Although critics may deem the jailing of student activist Umar Mohd Azmi for three days to be harsh, the student himself sees a silver lining in the whole episode.
For one, Umar proud that he had stopped smoking for four straight days.
“There’s nothing unforgettable (during the imprisonment), but I had successfully stop smoking until now.
“I didn’t smoke since last Friday until today, so I consider to have successfully stop smoking.
“After that, my mother also said that if I do successfully quit smoking (long term), I can marry,” Umar (in green t-shirt), who appear to be in good spirits, told reporters yesterday.
On Friday, Umar began serving his one month jail sentence after he was found guilty of obstructing a Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officer from performing his duties.
The incident happened when Umar and other student activists manned a protest camp in Dataran Merdeka in April. DBKL raidedthe camp several times.
For one, Umar proud that he had stopped smoking for four straight days.
“There’s nothing unforgettable (during the imprisonment), but I had successfully stop smoking until now. “I didn’t smoke since last Friday until today, so I consider to have successfully stop smoking.
“After that, my mother also said that if I do successfully quit smoking (long term), I can marry,” Umar (in green t-shirt), who appear to be in good spirits, told reporters yesterday.
On Friday, Umar began serving his one month jail sentence after he was found guilty of obstructing a Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officer from performing his duties.
The incident happened when Umar and other student activists manned a protest camp in Dataran Merdeka in April. DBKL raidedthe camp several times.
Scriptures for company
Among other issues, the students were protesting against the Higher Education Loan Fund (PTPTN), which they claim was unfair and left students with a heavy debt as soon as they joined the work force.
Umar's lawyers had sought a stay of execution after the verdict was read out, but they were unable to serve a notice to the prosecution in time.
When contacted by Malaysiakini yesterday evening, Umar said he was placed in a single cell and spent his time reading the Quran brought by his parents and writing poems.
“I wrote something, but I was not allowed take it out of prison. I was hoping to show it to (the national laureate and Bersih 2.0 co-chairperson) A Samad Said, so that he can critique my work.
“When I was going out of the prison, the warden glance through what I had wrote, and told me that I can’t take it with me,” he said.
Umar's lawyers had sought a stay of execution after the verdict was read out, but they were unable to serve a notice to the prosecution in time.
When contacted by Malaysiakini yesterday evening, Umar said he was placed in a single cell and spent his time reading the Quran brought by his parents and writing poems.
“I wrote something, but I was not allowed take it out of prison. I was hoping to show it to (the national laureate and Bersih 2.0 co-chairperson) A Samad Said, so that he can critique my work.
“When I was going out of the prison, the warden glance through what I had wrote, and told me that I can’t take it with me,” he said.
'Weird judgment'
However, he said that all the meals provided is “okay” and the wardens also treated him well.
“The jail is okay, that was not (detention under) ISA. I was treated well, but it is definitely not ‘Hotel California’. It’s still a prison.
“Some of the wardens were friendly. They want to know our side of the story. Maybe they don’t believe the media. They want to know directly from the source.
“Some of them are supportive, but they can’t be too obvious, because they work for the government,” he added.
Despite having to do jail time, Umar said his days as a student activist are not over.
“Absolutely not, it is not a grave. If one person got buried alive, he or she may not be dead after three days. This is only imprisonment, just a small case,” he added.
When asked whether he was optimistic about the appeal hearing, Umar was uncertain.
“(The judgement on) that day is very weird. We don't expect much this time,” he added.
Umar is the final-year college student and was attending practical training at Johor before sentenced to jail. He was given a clean shave while in prison.
However, he said that all the meals provided is “okay” and the wardens also treated him well.
“The jail is okay, that was not (detention under) ISA. I was treated well, but it is definitely not ‘Hotel California’. It’s still a prison.
“Some of the wardens were friendly. They want to know our side of the story. Maybe they don’t believe the media. They want to know directly from the source.
“Some of them are supportive, but they can’t be too obvious, because they work for the government,” he added.
Despite having to do jail time, Umar said his days as a student activist are not over.
“Absolutely not, it is not a grave. If one person got buried alive, he or she may not be dead after three days. This is only imprisonment, just a small case,” he added.
When asked whether he was optimistic about the appeal hearing, Umar was uncertain.
“(The judgement on) that day is very weird. We don't expect much this time,” he added.
Umar is the final-year college student and was attending practical training at Johor before sentenced to jail. He was given a clean shave while in prison.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.