Kuala Lampur, Oct. 19 -- A student asked prominent political leaders about corruption, 1MDB and public donations to help former prime minister Najib Razak pay a RM50 million fine. The exchange went viral, and drew extensive responses from the public including the politicians. Yes, there is something encouraging about that attention, but it is also something deeply sad. When did asking the questions universities are supposed to encourage become extraordinary enough to make headlines and go viral?

A Universiti Malaya (UM) student raised the issue at the Higher Education Ministry-backed iFUTURE dialogue.

The student challenged the fundraising for Najib, referred to the Tabung Haji controversy and asked how future leaders could confront cor...