Student activist, Akmal set for July 1 debate after caricature burning
PETALING JAYA : A student activist has taken up Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh's offer to meet for a debate after the latter criticised students who recently burned a caricature of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, describing them as 'cowardly and stupid'.
Akmal yesterday hit out at rally-goers who set a caricature of Anwar on fire at an anti-corruption rally in Kota Kinabalu on Saturday, labelling such acts disrespectful.
He had issued an invitation to any student unhappy with his remarks to arrange a meeting with him.
In response, student activist Fakhrurrazzi Khairur Rijal today said he had accepted Akmal's invitation and had agreed to his proposal to meet at 9pm on July 1 for a debate.
'The dignity of students and the freedom of expression must be defended. We are not afraid to speak the truth,' said the National Youth Federation of Malaysia coordinator in a statement.
Youth NGO Mandiri and student group Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia are helping coordinate the event, with the venue to be announced on their official social media channels.
Fakrurrazzi also said he remains open to the head of PKR Youth, Kamil Munim, joining the July 1 debate alongside Akmal.
He said the meeting was crucial to defend the dignity of students and their right to freedom of expression, which had been increasingly challenged by the rhetoric of political leaders.
Kamil, who is also Anwar's aide at the finance ministry, previously criticised the student protesters in Sabah who burned Anwar's caricature, describing the incident as excessive and rude.
The Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally, organised by several Universiti Malaysia Sabah students, ended with the burning of the caricature.
More than 100 people took part in the protest to call for action over the Sabah water department scandal.
Police are investigating the burning of the caricature under the Sedition Act and Penal Code.
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