Malaysian student who called out Najib’s donation drive fires back at trolls

Universiti Malaya student Ummi Umairah Bakhit, who went viral recently for questioning the donation of money to former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, has spoken out against what she described as cyberbullying, political obsession and emotional loyalty.

The youth stood by her criticism of donating money to the former prime minister, saying she would not apologise for raising the issue.

In a social media post, Ummi Umairah said the response to a question she raised at the International Young Future Leaders Summit sparked a national conversation, but maintained that her stance on corruption and in support of integrity, equality and justice remained unchanged.

“I stand by my question. I will never apologise,” she said.

She said much of the reaction focused on her choice of words and the mention of Najib, while overlooking her broader points about corruption, feudalism, facts and data.

She said her activism had not been selective, citing her participation in a demonstration against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki and her criticism of unequal opportunities at her university.

Ummi Umairah urged more people to speak out on corruption and integrity without fear, adding that the criticism she received would not change her position.

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Malaysia’s Najib Razak allowed to serve the rest of his term under house arrest

On Sunday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil condemned the bullying and threats against Ummi Umairah over the views she had expressed.

He said berating and threatening the student, including threats to track her down, should not have occurred simply because there was a difference of opinion.

“We can have different views, that’s not a problem. In Ummi Umairah’s case, she expressed her views and we know that university students have the right to speak up,” Bernama reported him as saying after attending the Smart Parents Inter­active Hub Programme in Selangor.

“So, we should welcome this because she has not violated any laws, nor has she committed any criminal offence. She only add­res­sed matters concerning the crime of corruption.”

Last month, Najib’s Umno launched a fundraiser to help pay his 50 million ringgit (US$12.3 million) fine that will allow him to spend the rest of his jail sentence under house arrest after the former leader secured a conditional pardon from Malaysia’s king.

Najib was jailed in 2022 after failing to overturn a conviction for stealing 42 million ringgit from a former unit of the troubled state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.