SO! Dr M finally admits Umno does not follow Islamic teachings: UM8, slammed for protesting, point to Umno's own protests

Former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad should not criticise the Universiti Malaya student leaders (UM8) for demonstrating, as Umno had also done so in the past said the students.

Responding to Mahathir’s remark yesterday on KiniTV that the Quran does not teach students to demonstrate, former Universiti Malaya Students Association (PMUM) president Fahmi Zainol, one of the persecuted eight, pointed to Umno rallies in 1946.

“In our view, Umno-BN need not debate on the matter of student demonstrations, since Umno members themselves had demonstrated since 1946 against the Malayan Union,” the activist told Malaysiakini today.

Fahmi quipped that the long-serving PM was not as quick as he used to be and may have forgotten the past.

“From what I see, Mahathir’s statements are increasingly contradictory by the day. He’s not as sharp as before. Probably he’s getting old,” said the student leader.

He said the UM students had resorted to demonstrations because they had tried every other avenue to convey their criticisms and suggestions to the government.

“We have used all sorts of ways to send the government our criticisms, from writing letter and giving suggestions for improvement, and demonstrating was the last resort to make the government hear our voice and criticisms,” said Fahmi.

The university has found the UM8 guilty for organising a campus rally on Oct 27 without permission, featuring opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as a key speaker on the eve of the latter’s Sodomy II appeal at the Federal Court. - M'kini