September 10, 2014
by Lee Shi-Ian
Lee, the UM Academic Staff Union coordinator for the Solidarity4AzmiSharom movement, cited Norway, Sweden and Taiwan as examples of developed countries which also encouraged freedom.
Do not judge development merely based on financial factors only. Freedom is also another measure of a countrys development and maturity, Lee told a crowd of students after the lunchtime hartal, or strike, held to protest against the Sedition Act and the sedition charges against UM Law Professor Dr Azmi Sharom.
Azmi also spoke to the crowd of about 100 students, who braved the hot weather to listen to the outdoor lectures on freedom. Many of the students participated in the protest earlier.
Azmi said freedom of expression was very important as it played a vital role in a nations development, saying without conflicting ideas, there would be no good ideas.If everyone was just a follower who agreed with what their leaders said, the nation would just chug along without any new ideas or creativity, Azmi said.
Ami is also President of the UM Academic Staff Union. Lee and Azmi were joined by another academician from Monash University, Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa (left pic with Din Merican) who is also the chairman of the non-governmental organisation Islamic Renaissance Front.Farouk said people like Azmi were a rarity as they were bold and courageous enough to speak up instead of keeping silent.
Academicians should also share their knowledge with the world, and not merely within the confines of a classroom or academic journal.
Lee said countries which have more freedom such as Taiwan, Norway and Sweden have all achieved developed nation status, and this included freedom of the press.The principles of Vision 2020 are not being adhered to by Putrajaya, which is using a colonial-era law in the Sedition Act 1948 more frequently than ever now.
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Comment on Freedom and Development go hand in hand, says UMs Dr Lee Hwok Aun by Phua Kai Lit