Fahmi condemns threats over RM50m Najib donation criticism

Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil condemned online threats against 23-year-old Universiti Malaya student Ummi Umairah Bakhit on Oct. 18, Bernama reported via The Straits Times.

The case followed Ummi Umairah’s criticism of a recent donation drive seeking RM50 million for former prime minister Najib Razak, the same amount as a 50 million ringgit fine condition in his 1MDB sentence.

"We can have different views, that’s not a problem," Fahmi said, according to the report. He said university students had the right to speak and that Ummi Umairah had not broken any law.

Ummi Umairah had questioned the fundraising effort during a recent open forum with leaders from the United Malays National Organisation, or Umno. The event was attended by former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari and Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the report said.

The student said she faced threats and harassment online after videos of her remarks spread. She also said her photos were taken from social media without her consent, according to the report.

Fahmi urged cyberbullying victims to file complaints with police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the communications regulator. He said the commission would examine possible action in the case and should act proactively rather than only wait for reports.

Atlas360 reported in September that Najib would serve the remainder of his 1MDB prison term under house arrest through August 2028 after a 50 million ringgit fine condition. The donation drive has kept his legal and political legacy in public view.

Fahmi also cited Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s reminder that the public should observe proper etiquette on social media, and said users should not assume online posts carry no consequences.

Source: news report, The Straits Times – Asia, Oct. 19, 2026