Rais Yatim disappointed with IIUM's relocation of keris monument

Former International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) president Rais Yatim has lambasted the university's current president Mohd Abu Bakar over the relocation of a keris (Malay dagger) monument located at the entrance of the university campus's in Gombak, Selangor.

The sculpture of the keris, erected on a water fountain, was replaced with a structure of a rehal (the book rest for placing the Al-Quran).

According to a university spokesperson, the keris was moved to a new place near the Architecture and Environmental Design Faculty.

Asked to comment on the relocation, Rais said: "New president, new vision. (But) the new president has no ideas other than amending the previous contribution.

"The keris symbol and (the old) rehal are reflections of a warrior and the holy book (Al-Kitab) and it was contributed by the Albukhary Foundation in 2014 at the cost of RM1.5 million.

"The president should respect this contribution. Perhaps, he ran out of new ideas," said Rais, a former minister.

The Albukhary Foundation was founded by business tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary.

In July, Mohd Abu had suggested that the keris monument be replaced.

Rais Yatim

“As you know, the university symbolises a centre of intellectual discussion and learning. As such we can have either the Qalam or Pen or Kitab, perhaps. I am thinking of suggesting this to our rector to consider something better than the keris," he had said.

Unveiled by Rais in 2014, the water fountain monument with the keris had received a backlash from certain quarters who saw it as a waste of money.

Rais had then explained that no funds from the university were used to build the monument and advised students to be careful in making comments.

“This is an Islamic university, not just any other university. Every action and word needs to reflect the image of the university,” Rais had said.

Earlier today, a netizen had shared pictures and a video showing the removal of the keris from its place using a crane.

"Today marks the end of the keris' journey which was contributed during the administration of the previous president who hailed from Negri Sembilan (Rais) ..." the caption read. - Mkini