Promoting democratic engagement through art and activism
Monash University Malaysia hosted Fahmi Reza, the acclaimed Malaysian graphic designer, filmmaker, and activist, from 7- 18 October 2024. The event series, themed "Design for Activism: Design, Dissent and Democracy", highlighted the essential role of citizen engagement in sustaining a healthy democracy. Organised by the School of Pathways and Immersion (SPI), the Monash Political Awareness Club (MONPAC), and Dr Nazirul Hazim A. Khalim, the two-week program aimed to inspire and empower the university community.
The centrepiece of the event was the "22 Years of Visual Disobedience" exhibition, showcasing Fahmi’s most influential posters from each year of his activism between 2002 and 2024, alongside his earlier works from 1996 to 2001 and other selected pieces. Fahmi’s art, renowned for its incisive political satire and social commentary, challenges authority and addresses critical issues such as corruption, human rights, and freedom of expression. Fahmi gained international attention for his depictions of Malaysian political figures as a symbol of protest against the government. These have led to his arrest and legal challenges, highlighting issues of artistic freedom and government censorship. For Fahmi, art is merely a medium. His focus is not on the art itself or the artist, but on the message. He is committed to using any medium necessary to effectively convey his message, be it graffiti, documentary, lecture, theatre, posters or graphic design. Many of his works can be found under the social media tag @kuasasiswa.
Aligned with Monash University’s call to action, “If You Don't Like It, Change It,” the collaboration with Fahmi emphasises the university’s dedication to fostering a politically engaged and mature Malaysia. By providing a platform for impactful activism and critical dialogue, the university is advancing its mission to cultivate proactive citizens committed to building a just and equitable future.
The primary goals of inviting Fahmi to campus were to inspire students through his unique blend of art and activism, deepen their understanding of democratic principles, and encourage active participation in combating corruption, oppression, and injustice. By engaging with Fahmi’s powerful messages and experiences, Monash University Malaysia sought to create an environment where critical discourse and constructive criticism of authority are normalised, thereby nurturing a resilient democratic mindset. Additionally, the collaboration aimed to reinforce the university’s commitment to meaningful conversations on political activism and social change, promoting the principle of "Rakyat Adalah Boss" (The People Are the Boss) within the academic community and beyond.
Through our partnership with Fahmi, we aspire to significantly enhance student engagement by motivating them to actively participate in social and political issues. By showcasing Fahmi’s impactful combination of art and activism, the university fosters meaningful discussions on political activism, encouraging students to critically examine and challenge societal issues such as corruption, oppression, and injustice. This initiative aims to create a vibrant environment where open dialogue and constructive criticism of authority are commonplace, cultivating a generation of socially conscious leaders. Furthermore, we seek to strengthen our role as an anchor institution, providing scientific, social, economic, and cultural benefits to the Malaysian community, promoting interdisciplinary learning, and empowering the community to drive positive social change.
In addition to the exhibition, Fahmi delivered an Artist Talk titled "Art As A Weapon: 22 Years of Design Activism," where he discussed his campaigns against police violence, kleptocracy, human rights abuses, free education, the death penalty, corruption, and the abuse of power. Fahmi emphasised that his mission extends beyond art; it is about using any medium necessary to deliver a compelling message against injustice.
The series also featured a Public Lecture on "Student Power: The Rise of Student Activism in 1960s Malaysia." Fahmi shared his research and documentation of student movements from that era, which led to the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971. The lecture was enriched by insights from Dr Abdul Majid Nabi Baksh, a retired Senior Lecturer in Law from Monash University Malaysia and former Secretary General of the University Malaya Student Union (UMSU) 7th Council 1965/66, and Dr Khong Kim Hoong, former President of UMSU 10th Council 1968/69 and current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at HELP University. Their participation underscored the lasting impact of student activism on Malaysia’s political landscape.
A highlight of the event was the screening of Fahmi’s documentary "10 Years Before Independence (10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka)," which chronicles the events leading up to the 1947 Hartal protests in Malaya. The documentary explores the democratic movements that paved the way for Malaysia’s independence, offering a historical perspective on contemporary struggles for democracy.
Another engaging session, "Kelas Demokrasi: Malaysian Democracy For Beginners," provided an accessible introduction to Malaysia’s federal, state, and local governments, elections, and constitutions. This lecture was particularly timely, coinciding with the constitutional amendment allowing 18-year-olds to vote (UNDI18), and aimed to educate first-time voters in an engaging and approachable manner.
The "Fahmi Reza: Design for Activism" exhibition and accompanying talks successfully showcased Fahmi’s contributions and sparked conversations about the importance of dissent in a thriving democracy. The initiative deepened the understanding of the synergy between creativity and activism, inspiring both the university community and the public to engage critically and socially conscientiously with art.
Monash University Malaysia’s collaboration with Fahmi Reza reinforced the vital message that in a healthy democracy, the people must actively oppose corruption, oppression, and injustice. With the passionate participation from staff and students across disciplines and schools over two weeks, the university reaffirmed its commitment to empowering citizens and fostering a resilient democratic mindset.