Latheefa hits out at MCMC, Fahmi over online attacks on UM student

 

Lawyer Latheefa Koya slammed the MCMC for its perceived inaction over the online harassment of a Universiti Malaya (UM) student following her criticism against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak donation drive.

Latheefa (above) said that what took place against student Ummi Umairah Bakhit was blatant cyberbullying, saying the online backlash she faced went beyond regular criticism.

“They (internet users) resorted to doxxing and all kinds of insults. And we don't hear anything from MCMC in terms of protecting her. This is blatant cyberbullying, (but) no action. 

“We want to know what MCMC is doing about it,” she told Malaysiakini.

The former MACC chief also took aim at Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, saying MCMC should be protecting Ummi from online harassment rather than remaining silent over the attacks.

“But I don't expect that. I don't expect that from Fahmi, that false leader who had once upon a time sat and spoke about freedom of speech,” she added.

Open challenge

During a Higher Education Ministry-backed dialogue on Monday, Ummi openly challenged several politicians over what she perceived as rising corruption, describing donations to a fundraiser to help Najib pay his RM50 million fine as “the stupidest thing I’ve seen in my entire life”.

The dialogue featured former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, and Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

Ummi’s remarks subsequently went viral on social media, drawing both attention to her criticism and a wave of online harassment.

“After the video went viral, they took my photos from Instagram without my consent.

“Some of them also threatened me with expulsion from the university, harassed me, made comments about my physical appearance, and much more,” she was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Ummi (above) said that she did not receive any disciplinary action from the university after the incident, which was subsequently confirmed by UM Vice-Chancellor Noor Azuan Abu Osman today.

The student also received support for her bravery, with Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim defending her question as "fair comment" and “an important reminder to those entrusted with leadership".

A recurring pattern

Latheefa added that the backlash Ummi faced reflected a broader tendency among those in power to react poorly when challenged, particularly by younger people.

She warned that politicians should not expect the younger generation to share their perceptions of the past or accept their authority without question.

“And what they don't realise is this is a new generation, they have no collective memory of your so-called good old days. 

“So don't try to pretend to be a pejuang (fighter) or whatever you call it; Not to student activists. You guys are seen as those in power, and you better start listening,” she said.

Latheefa also criticised other politicians for remaining silent over the harassment, saying their lack of response reflected what she described as “fakerism” among those in power.

Students vs those in power

Incidents involving students challenging public figures have previously drawn widespread attention in Malaysia.

In 2013, Parti Sosialis Malaysia deputy secretary-general KS Bawani garnered fame after a heated exchange with Suara Wanita 1Malaysia chairperson Sharifah Zohra Jabeen at a university forum went viral.

Bawani (above), then a university student, had challenged what she considered a misrepresentation of electoral reform coalition Bersih and its leaders at the time before being berated by the panellist.

More recently, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faced criticism in 2023 over his response to a matriculation student who questioned whether the government intended to abolish the bumiputera quota system.

The premier’s decision to cut the student off midway, coupled with his perceived dismissive response, was not well received by social media users.

Netizens accused Anwar's reaction as “bullying” as well as overshadowing what they viewed as a genuine question on government policy. - Mkini