Listen! Will Sharifah come?

The question whether Suara Wanita 1Malaysia (SW1M) president Sharifah Zohra Jabeen Syed Shah Miskin will be appearing at a forum in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow remains unanswered.

The woman, who generated the ‘listen’ controversy, is scheduled to share the stage with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) student KS Bawani in a forum organised by Suara Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) on Tuesday.

Astro Awani had earlier confirmed with SAMM’s Wan Noor Faril Azli Wan Haron who told that Sharifah had already agreed to participate in the forum.

The matter was confirmed once again by Wan Noor after few online news portals had denied Sharifah’s attendance.

Wan Noor when contacted, told that they had gotten a positive response from a SW1M leader, Ms Yati that Sharifah will be coming.

“So far we have yet to receive any official rejection from her side... therefore for the organisers, she is considered attending,” he said.

He also said that if Sharifah rejects, she should reject it professionally by sending a letter.

“If she fails to respond, we shall give her until the day of the event (to answer)... if she says she’s not coming, then she should reject it professionally,” said Wan Noor.

So far, SAMM has confirmed the attendance of Bawani, constitutional expert Professor Dr Abdul Aziz Bari and also IIUM’s lecturer Dr Maszlee Malik.

Meanwhile we have also contacted one of SW1M’s supreme council member Ema Lee Abu Samah who denied that Sharifah will be attending the forum.

“She will not be coming. She has never accepted and never gave any letter or statement telling that she had accepted it (the invitation),” she said.

When asked on why she refuses to show up, Ema told that Sharifah is not a representative to the government to talk about government policies or even represent the students.

She suggests SAMM to conduct the program to call a representative from the government to talk or debate on this issue.

“She is a nobody... only an NGO and an activist,” said Ema.

As for Bawani, when contacted, said she will still attend the forum to promote free education and freedom of speech.

“I am not the organiser of the forum... I leave it to the organiser to interpret her decision (to not show up). I have no comment,” she said.

The phone call Sharifah however, went unanswered. Ema added they don’t allow Sharifah to take calls from people.

Sharifah shot to fame after a video clip of her showing her berating Bawani in a forum in UUM spread quickly on Youtube.

The actions of Sharifah was widely condemned by many and spawned a myriad of reactions, including parody videos.