Explaining 'brainwashing forum' more vital

Universiti Utara Malaysia student KS Bawani, who became an icon after video clips of a brainwashing forum were leaked on the Internet, says an apology from the forum panellist who berated her is not important.

Instead, she demands an explanation from UUM as to why approval was given to Suara Wanita 1Malaysia (SW1M) to hold the "brainwashing forum" at the university.

Speaking to the media in Kuala Lumpur today, Bawani said the focus should be on three important issues, rather than an apology from SW1M chairperson Sharifah Zohra Jabeen Syed Shah Miskin. These are:

• Freedom of expression for students;

• The need for universities to be neutral. UUM must explain why it allowed such an NGO to hold such a programme; and,

• The need for free education in Malaysia is the most important issue.

Not a Bawani issue

Bawani also called on the public to refrain from using racist remarks against Sharifah.

“This is not a racial issue, nor a Bawani issue, but the issue of students... don't divert the focus from the three important issues above,” said the law student.

Describing the forum as a “duping people project” (projek pembodohan), Bawani said it was necessary for her to voice out her views in the forum.

However, she denied the claim that she was rude while asking questions in the event.

“They said they will collect another round of questions, but after the two questions in the first round, they ended the session and then led the crowd to pledge.

“I was shocked. I have attended many forums before, but never pledged in an event like this, so I thought I must stand up,” she said.

She reiterated that she did no wrong, but only spoke out the truth.

'I am no longer alone now'

Thanking all the support from fellow students and the public, Bawani said: “Maybe I was alone that day, but I am no longer alone now.”

Though she became famous overnight, she humbly said that she is not a hero, and there are a lot of people who have fought much more than her.

“Don't look up to me like I am in the sky, I am still standing on the ground with the people,” she said.

Asked whether she will be contesting in the next general election, she jokingly said that she will only consider it if offered to contest in Pekan, the parliamentary seat of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“I don't have the motivation to join politics. My idol is Che Guevara and I am a socialist, but I am not yet a member of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM),” said the student and Jerit activist.