PSD threatens to make Fahmi return scholarship
Aidila RazakPublished: Nov 11, 2014 11:00 AM | Updated: Nov 11, 2014 11:54 PM
The Public Services Department has issued a show cause letter to Universiti Malaya Student Union (PMUM) president Fahmi Zainol threatening to withdraw his scholarship.
The Public Services Department has issued a show cause letter to Universiti Malaya Student Union (PMUM) president Fahmi Zainol threatening to withdraw his scholarship.
The department said if found guilty, PSD will also seek "reimbursement" of the scholarship already disbursed to the final semester undergraduate .
In a letter dated Nov 6, it said that by organising the 'Anwar Ibrahim: 40 Years from UM to Prison' event on Oct 27, Fahmi breached conditions of the scholarship.
He had signed the agreement in October 2011, the letter said.
It also accused Fahmi (left, in maroon) of making "negative statements against the government" in an article in The Malaysian Insider on Oct 26
"You had also made a statement which provokes students, by linking your action to the Hong Kong Umbrella Revolution and Indonesia student riots," it reads.
Fahmi has to reply to the show cause letter by Nov 13.
Opposing oppression
According to the student leader, the scholarship is worth "RM40,000 to RM45,000".
He also contended that the agreement only states that he cannot "oppose the government".
"In my reply, I will say that I did not insult the government.
"What I said are facts, and the government should take steps to improve, not clamp down on criticism,” he said.
Facing expulsion from university, arrested on Sunday and now risking a hefty bill, Fahmi can still count on his family’s support.
"My parents just told me to reply to the letter," he said when asked of his parents’ reaction to the PSD letter.
The multiple actions against him has also not doused his belief that the struggle for student autonomy is worthwhile.
"For the sake of the next generation, I feel it is worth it. I have the ability to do something now so I must.
"God willing, I can say this when I am asked (by God) in the afterlife what I did to stand up to oppression when I was in the position do so.
"I don’t want to be blamed by the next generation for doing nothing today," he said.
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The department said if found guilty, PSD will also seek "reimbursement" of the scholarship already disbursed to the final semester undergraduate .
In a letter dated Nov 6, it said that by organising the 'Anwar Ibrahim: 40 Years from UM to Prison' event on Oct 27, Fahmi breached conditions of the scholarship.
He had signed the agreement in October 2011, the letter said.
It also accused Fahmi (left, in maroon) of making "negative statements against the government" in an article in The Malaysian Insider on Oct 26"You had also made a statement which provokes students, by linking your action to the Hong Kong Umbrella Revolution and Indonesia student riots," it reads.
Fahmi has to reply to the show cause letter by Nov 13.
Opposing oppression
According to the student leader, the scholarship is worth "RM40,000 to RM45,000".
He also contended that the agreement only states that he cannot "oppose the government".
"In my reply, I will say that I did not insult the government.
"What I said are facts, and the government should take steps to improve, not clamp down on criticism,” he said.
Facing expulsion from university, arrested on Sunday and now risking a hefty bill, Fahmi can still count on his family’s support.
"My parents just told me to reply to the letter," he said when asked of his parents’ reaction to the PSD letter.
The multiple actions against him has also not doused his belief that the struggle for student autonomy is worthwhile.
"For the sake of the next generation, I feel it is worth it. I have the ability to do something now so I must.
"God willing, I can say this when I am asked (by God) in the afterlife what I did to stand up to oppression when I was in the position do so.
"I don’t want to be blamed by the next generation for doing nothing today," he said.
'Using cops on students a waste of public funds'
Tan, those keen to study are already kept out
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