'Merdeka's near death': Tajuddin condemns racial hooliganism
RK Anand
Published: Aug 14, 2025 9:20 PM
Updated: 11:20 PM
With sorrow in his voice, academic Tajuddin Rasdi - a relentless thorn in the side of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s race-baiting theatrics - delivered a chilling verdict.
“Sadly, I have witnessed the near death of our Merdeka. I witnessed Malay-based parties pit one race against another under the guise of defending the sanctity of the flag,” he told Malaysiakini.
Weighing in on the protest outside a Penang hardware store this evening, the architecture professor pulled no punches, slamming the Umno Youth and Bersatu Youth participants as nothing more than “hooligans”.
Although Akmal dressed it up as patriotism, but to Tajuddin, it reeked of racial provocation.
“The evidence is glaring. This group of hooligans was not at the flag blunders at other 'Malay' places but only at a place which belongs to another race.
“Their declaration of being Malaysian is hollow with their blatant accusation that the flag blunders by another race cannot be an accident but deliberate,” he added.
Published: Aug 14, 2025 9:20 PM
Updated: 11:20 PM
With sorrow in his voice, academic Tajuddin Rasdi - a relentless thorn in the side of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s race-baiting theatrics - delivered a chilling verdict.
“Sadly, I have witnessed the near death of our Merdeka. I witnessed Malay-based parties pit one race against another under the guise of defending the sanctity of the flag,” he told Malaysiakini.
Weighing in on the protest outside a Penang hardware store this evening, the architecture professor pulled no punches, slamming the Umno Youth and Bersatu Youth participants as nothing more than “hooligans”.
Although Akmal dressed it up as patriotism, but to Tajuddin, it reeked of racial provocation.
“The evidence is glaring. This group of hooligans was not at the flag blunders at other 'Malay' places but only at a place which belongs to another race.
“Their declaration of being Malaysian is hollow with their blatant accusation that the flag blunders by another race cannot be an accident but deliberate,” he added.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh (centre) during the protest in Kepala Batas, Penang
Tajuddin also ridiculed the protesters’ demand to prosecute the store owner, who came under fire after being filmed with an inverted national flag - an act he insisted was unintentional and for which he had already apologised.
“These people did not come for justice but only to fuel racial hostilities for their own political benefit,” he said.
Only LFL spoke up
Expressing admiration for Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) and its director, Zaid Malek, for defending the store during the protest, Tajuddin lamented the silence from others.
Tajuddin also ridiculed the protesters’ demand to prosecute the store owner, who came under fire after being filmed with an inverted national flag - an act he insisted was unintentional and for which he had already apologised.
“These people did not come for justice but only to fuel racial hostilities for their own political benefit,” he said.
Only LFL spoke up
Expressing admiration for Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) and its director, Zaid Malek, for defending the store during the protest, Tajuddin lamented the silence from others.
Zaid Malek among LFL members present at the protest to defend store owner
“The silence is deafening. When the country needed Malay leaders of repute to stand up, it was an NGO that stood against ignorant politicians of hate and divisiveness.
“For me, there is no Merdeka this year but only a shadow of shame and sadness.
“Thank you, Zaid and LFL for being the lone sliver of light of the true meaning of patriotism and courage of hope for all Malaysians,” he added.
“The silence is deafening. When the country needed Malay leaders of repute to stand up, it was an NGO that stood against ignorant politicians of hate and divisiveness.
“For me, there is no Merdeka this year but only a shadow of shame and sadness.
“Thank you, Zaid and LFL for being the lone sliver of light of the true meaning of patriotism and courage of hope for all Malaysians,” he added.
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