An Undi18 activist who recently graduated from secondary school claimed she was denied an opportunity for entry into a public university after taking an active stance on voting issues.
Nurul Rifayah Muhammad Iqbal took to social media to share her frustrations over the heavy price she has to pay for political activism in the country.
“Just because I sued the government, was involved in politics, was involved in ‘illegal’ protests, I am not qualified for any of the public universities in Malaysia. This is unfair,” she posted last Saturday.
She alleged that the rejection was a form of government retaliation against her activism, adding that actions to silence those active in politics and activism were common in the country.
“This isn’t an issue that’s only happening now; it’s been happening for decades. When one is active in politics or activism, one is immediately silenced and punished," she said.
Revealing that several of her scholarship applications were denied by public higher education institutions, Rifayah claimed those institutions viewed her activism as "a risk" and thus refused to offer any aid to her as a result.
She said she will remain undeterred and vowed to continue speaking out on what she saw as right despite the pressure from the authorities.
“I know I’m not the last person that will encounter this because there will be many more. They’re robbing our future by taking away our rights.
“I won’t stop and I will keep on fighting for what I think is right.”
In April, Rifayah and 17 other youths representing the Undi18 movement filed a judicial review against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, the Malaysian government and the Election Commission (EC) over the delay in lowering the voting age to 18.
A full hearing at the Kuala Lumpur High Court will begin on Aug 23 after the application for leave was granted to the youths in June. - Mkini
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