Ex-UM activist to withdraw appeal to obtain witnesses’ statements

 

Former University Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) chairperson Wong Yan Ke will withdraw his appeal to obtain potential witnesses’ statements the police had recorded over a 2019 UM convocation protest.

The outspoken activist’s counsel Chan Yen Hui confirmed with Malaysiakini that the withdrawal would be filed as they felt that the matter has become academic.

The lawyer added that the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, during case management this morning, has fixed April 6 for further mention to update on the status of the filing of the notice to withdraw the appeal.

Wong (above) had initially sought the statements in order to bolster his defence in the ongoing related criminal trial before the Magistrate’s Court in Kuala Lumpur.

The activist’s appeal was against the lower court’s refusal to allow his application for the eight statements recorded by the police under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Wong’s former UM batch mates are among the potential witnesses.

Sworn evidence

On April 5 last year, the lower court ordered Wong to enter his defence in the case linked to his protest against former Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Abdul Rahim Hashim.

The court ruled that the prosecution succeeded in establishing a prima facie (answerable) case against the activist over a charge of insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace under Section 504 of the Penal Code.

In the course of the prosecution stage of the trial, 13 witnesses had given their sworn evidence, including Rahim.

Wong’s charge under Section 504 carries up to two years in jail, a fine or both.

Wong allegedly caused a scene during UM’s convocation on Oct 14, 2019, protesting against Rahim, the university's then-vice-chancellor, for alleged racist remarks.

Upon receiving his graduation scroll on stage, the then engineering student yelled: “Tolak rasis. Undur VC. Ini Tanah Malaysia” (Reject racists. VC step down. This is Malaysian land).

‘Racist’ speech

Among the reasons Wong cited in his protest was that Rahim allegedly promoted racism and hatred, infringed on academic freedom, served as a “political puppet” and failed to solve UM’s financial problems.

He later alleged that part of his protest was also against Rahim’s “racist” speech during the controversial Malay Dignity Congress on Oct 6, 2019.

In his speech, Rahim allegedly claimed that the change in government after the 14th general election had eliminated Malay political dominance and asserted that Malay privileges were being questioned.

Rahim also allegedly warned others not to challenge the social contract.

UM expressed that it was in full support of the vice-chancellor, condemning Wong’s “rude and unacceptable” actions. It later lodged a police report on the matter. - Mkini