LETTER | When someone asked me to comment on the demonstration against corruption that happened on my birthday on Jan 25, I declined as I did not want to waste my time on a mere 200 people gathering.

However, while watching one of my favourite YouTubers, Syed Azuan, making a commentary on the incident, I noticed two disturbing things.

First is the rallying song of “Madani Bangsat” (Madani bastard) and the second is the placard of “F*ck Korupsi” (F*ck corruption).

With these two statements, I wish for Malaysians to reflect on what is happening at our public universities if we produce such crass and low-level criticism by so-called “university students”.

In the days of old, we would have student demonstrations talking about the state of the nation in a more academic manner.

I am not a fan of demonstrations and have never attended any. I followed the monster demonstration of Anwar Ibrahim’s reformasi and the Bersih 1.0 that both inspired many Malaysians, university graduates and others, from the safety of my own home.

I discouraged my children from attending for fear of their safety.

For me, demonstrations have no more use in the social media world with online forums as well as on-the-spot media reporting or real-time journalism.

Attacking a concept

What concerns me about the “Madani Bangsat” song is - why is Madani considered “bangsat” or terrible?

Madani is a word and concept of a civilised society. It is an educated society that embraces progressive thinking and inclusiveness of many faiths and cultures.

Why did the demonstrators not say unity government bangsat? Why the specific attack on Madani? Is this a strategic attack on Anwar alone? Why is that? Why not PKR bangsat, GPS celaka (wretched) or Umno barua (lackey)?

I can think of so many more slur words in my vocabulary as an orang Melayu utara (northern Malay person).

Attacking a word seems totally disingenuous and speaks volumes of either the total ignorance and incompetence of the so-called students from universities, or it suggests that the students are being used by certain political parties as poorly educated proxies.

Mind your manners

Then there is the swearing against corruption - “F*ck Korupsi”. Now, if students in a university were to use these words against any academic at a university I am at, I would recommend expulsion immediately.

There is no place for such a mind and attitude. If a student were to be discontented with something, we academics do not teach them to swear or call things bangsat.

We teach them to be clear, professional and concise, not vulgar and completely vague.

Strangely, I see no reaction from either PAS or Umno in commenting on this kind of rude, disrespectful and ignorant comments as well as rallying cries.

Of course, I do not expect the higher education minister to say anything but we as parents and teachers of students should do so.

More importantly, vice-chancellors or academic bodies should say something. It could be though that they’re keeping mum because there is no evidence that the ignorant demonstrators were students.

They could’ve been any man on the street bribed with RM50 and a packet of nasi lemak to join the rally. It has happened before at the famous Red Shirt rallies.

I have no interest in either demonstrations or students who can only spout populist slogans without depth and adab (manners).

Unless we hear from other student bodies or other university authorities denouncing this sham and travesty of democracy, I will hold universities responsible for the behaviour of our student bodies who reflect upon a bleak picture for Malaysia.

The writer is a professor of Islamic architecture at UCSI University.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.