THE open solicitation for students’ support for Kedah Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor during a recent Hari Raya open house celebration is dishonourable and deplorable.
When Sanusi and the Kedah state government utilised an official event for political gain, particularly as the state elections are approaching, they eroded the political rights of students to make choices, insulted students’ intelligence, and trampled on their dignity, according to DAP Youth (DAPSY) National Varsity Affairs Bureau director Ho Chi Yang.
During the Hari Raya open house by the Kedah state government on April 23, a representative who is believed to be the event’s emcee had prompted students attending the event to repeat the following line: “We, the students of Kedah, will defend and pledge our support to the Kedah MB”.
Such gesture is said to have received the support of Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (GAMIS) and Persatuan Mahasiswa Darulaman (Persada).
“Therefore, Sanusi, the Kedah state government and PAS should admit that they are wrong and apologise to the students publicly instead of making untenable denial,” berated Ho who is also the Tanah Rata state assemblyman.
“With years of education, students possess independent thinking and critical thinking skills and can distinguish right from wrong. Therefore, they have the right and are capable of voting for leaders based on various objective factors such as the current political landscape, economic and social development and so on.”
Ho further noted that Sanusi’s arrogant and condescending attitude towards students as evidence that Perikatan Nasional (PN) and PAS only regarded youths and students as gullible voters instead of committed to promoting genuine policies for youth empowerment, advancement and development.
“Sanusi and some PN leaders recently criticised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim relentlessly for holding Hari Raya open house events in six states, claiming that there was a hidden political agenda behind the series of events,” he stated.
“Ironically, it has been proven that Sanusi and the PAS used the Hari Raya open house event organised by the state government for political mileage by demanding the loyalty of many innocent students.” – April 28, 2023
