Student Power Lecture

I attended one of Fahmi Reza’s ‘infamous’ Student Power nights on October 11th recently, and I’m rather moved by Fahmi’s attempts to present his historical findings in University Malaya during the 60s. I’m however not particularly sure of his objectives though he obviously outlined a few as some are contradicting to his ‘lectures’ and responding actions.

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As everyone else may reflect on his initiatives, I myself won’t shy away from complimenting another of his feat in treasuring history especially when one after another is discredited and not acknowledged by the ‘mainstream’ for public’s knowledge. For being ‘alternative’, it’s no surprise that he has been consistently barred from presenting his ‘Student Lecture’ to reach ‘targeted audience’ for a change of mindset in reference to ‘history of student movement in the 1960s’.

“Student Power lecture repeatedly banned on campus“ (click link)

I can understand his disappointment of being thwarted by the university administration, but he surely can’t expect everything to be running smoothly as the admin has every right to control the type of politics or histories that students are allowed to be exposed to; as long as they’re within jurisdiction of university, especially in university’s very own learning compound.

After 2 hours listening to his core of ‘lecture’, I see no reasons for any universities to feel threatened by his research. If the admin first-handedly knew of AUKU’s existence, they shouldn’t be worried of untoward incidents as the universities nowadays are no more autonomous as how it was 40 years late. Fahmi himself has publicly lamented the lack of support among students themselves, but he should’ve knew it earlier of students’ tendency not to be involved in sort of issues. The Government played their dirty role exceptionally well in robbing political or historical interest among students ever since young, and it’d be a tantamount bid for Fahmi to instill his insights for university students to emulate on.

Fahmi isn’t new to mediocre support to his noble intention for a dose of historical realization. In fact, ‘Student Power Lecture’ had taken note of students’ lack of interest and hence decided to change strategy for a better outreach to potential audience, especially targeted ones.

‘Tahun 2007 aku tayang dokumentari ’10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka’ kat Central Market Annexe, tak ramai mahasiswa yang datang. Tahun 2008 seminggu aku tayang dokumentari ‘Revolusi 48′ dan anjurkan ‘Emergency Festival’ 11 hari kat CM Annexe, tak ramai mahasiswa yang datang. Bulan lepas aku anjurkan ‘AUKU Public Lecture Series’ (4 lectures) kat KL & Selangor Assembly Hall, tak ramai mahasiswa yang datang.”

Though agreeing to Fahmi’s sentiments for our autonomous rights be returned, students need to realize that our political situation is no similar to of 40 years ago and thus, can’t be made comparable to another.

It’s not impossible, of course, nothing is impossible.

But we’ve to live in reality as politics for students are beyond Laws. There’s no connotation of politics urge in Fahmi’s speeches, true, but the followers need to understand his stance of mobilizing ‘Student Power’ in our present system, not to be against AUKU or its abolishments as we stand no chance as students. Fahmi didn’t imply that we shall all rise and be on par as how Syed Hamid Ali & Co. did, but to work on solutions that may change present’s political role for students in the form of MPP or any other organizations.

Fahmi indicated it clearly that he wanted his historical research to be recognized but to no avail for his absence of historical background and qualifications. If he were to be seriously involved in this paradigm shift, then it’s best for him to be academically credited before pursuing his interests be it for personal’s or public’s gains. It’d be a waste if he’s continuously ignored by academicians, students or public in general..perhaps Fahmi can lay a dependable academics base first for more to deem his research as trustable.

And there’s no argument of his noble intention to spread the underlying truth of Malaysia’s once-prominent ‘Student Power’, but I was taken aback of his retort upon asked of:

“So Mr Fahmi, what’s the right approach for us be to be as precocious as how the UM students once were in the 60s?

“It’s not my task to answer, though I’ve mine, but shall be kept for myself as I’m no more a university student. It’s your job to figure out what’s best to make amends.”

I believe Fahmi could’ve done more to help rather than leaving those students in limbo for an equivalent judgement after his ‘lecture’.

Personally, I think ‘Student Power’ can still be re-ignited, though its role may not be as politically-directed as before. If Fahmi were correct of his numerical facts on ’1 million college students’ in Malaysia, a lot more can be contributed than just having political conscience. If we knew we’re by right not allowed to be politically-involved, why not resolving into social or environmental measures in exercisizing our ‘Student Power’?

That’s the main problem with our rising aspirants, everyone now wants to be a hotshot in politics that none others but ‘only politics’ could change the direction of our shift.

But hey then again, good job Fahmi Reza for your effort, it might not be a big hit now, but remarkable enough for a start of something new.

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