'After an old video surfaced, I was accused of many things' - Asyraf Wajdi

SHAH ALAM - Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki regrets the action of certain parties that defamed him over an old video recording that recently went viral.

The video, he said was recorded while he was delivering a speech as the National Muslim Students Association of Malaysia (PKPIM) president during the reformasi era from 1998 to 2001.

The Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman said he was speaking as a student representative during the launching ceremony on a movement to repeal the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) together with then Pas president, the late Datuk Fadzil Noor who also called for reform.

"Although my father was the political secretary to then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, I had a different view as a youth and student leader who criticises Dr Mahathir and I was directly involved in a series of street demonstrations.

"That's why I am open and welcome youths' who make criticisms, have 'anti-establishment' traits, students who are idealist, have hope and spirit to see a better, fair, peaceful and impartial country," he said in a Facebook post, today.

Meanwhile, the former Umno youth chief said he was not involved in any political parties when he was a student representative.

He said students needed to remain as ‘non-partisans’ who could agree and disagree, support or criticise anyone based on knowledge and idealism without linking themselves to any party.

"Three years after returning from the United Kingdom and completing my PhD in 2008, I was invited by then prime minister Tun Abdullah Badawi to be active in Umno and I am still loyal to the party until today.

"I still believe that Umno is the only party that is capable and can defend the Islamic agenda and interests of Malay-Bumiputeras.

"It's just that as an old party, it is not infallible, all past flaws, mistakes and weaknesses must be corrected for the sake of the party's struggle," he said.