Listen 姐

The word Listen 姐 is familiar to all Malaysians especially the Chinese community. The Chinese called her Sister Listen, what an odd name? This lady got her nickname after she gained her popularity on Youtube. Her real name is Sharifah Zohra Jabeen, the president of a non-government organization which is Suara Wanita 1 Malaysia (SW1M) or One Malaysia Women's Voice. On 8th December 2012, she was invited to Universiti Utara Malaysia(UUM) or Malaysia Northern University for a political talk. At the end of the talk, she was questioned by a brave Indian girl from the Law Faculty. Her name is Bawani. Bawani highlighted why is free education not given to Malaysians up to degree level whereas other countries can. She also asked Sharifah why the tax could not afford to cover education fee so that free education is available. When she was debating in great passion, Sharifah stepped forward and asked her to stop but Bawani refused to stop as she had not finish her questions. Sharifah said " Listen, Listen, Listen..." to Bawani for 10 times before taking the microphone away from Bawani. Then she shook hand with Bawani and thanked her for her questions. Later, she asked the audience if she had given her respect by shaking her hands. She told Bawani not to compare Malaysia with other countries and if she was to compare, what is she doing in Malaysia? She also told Bawani not only human beings have problem but other animals as well. She gave so many irrelevant examples to Bawani but Bawani was not able to talk back because she ha no microphone. She also said that Bawani did not respect her by asking questions in rude manner and that the talk was her program. Sharifah also pointed out that Bawani had to listen to her as she had a Degree and Bawani only in Diploma level. Finally, she said Bawani had very least of education. Bawani could not say a word and just grinned as her counter to Sharifah. Bawani left the spot and went back to her seat. The atmosphere was tense and after a month, the video was uploaded to Youtube. The short clip caused a lot of negative feedback especially from local undergraduates. Many universities' representative asked Sharifah to apologize to Bawani in public. Namewee made a video to this debate after watching this on Youtube. He spoke in Manglish which only locals and Singaporeans understand.



 Sharifah Zohra Jabeen




Bawani KS