Students must pay, Anwar told
Published on: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Published on: Thu, Jun 26, 2025
By: Sohan Das, Jonathan Nicholas, Sherell Jeffrey, Winnie Kasmir, Marutin Ansiung, Mardinah Jikur Text Size: There is general disagreement over Datuk Seri Anwar's decision to spare the Suara Mahsiswa Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally students who torched his poster as well as accused the Madani unity federal government of hypocrisy in fighting corruption during their rally, here, over the weekend. Kota Kinabalu: There is general disagreement over Datuk Seri Anwar's decision to spare the Suara Mahsiswa Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally students who torched his poster as well as accused the Madani unity federal government of hypocrisy in fighting corruption during their rally, here, over the weekend. Unity government partners in the state, including his Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat as well as activists feel his plea to the UMS disciplinary board to not expel or suspend the students amounts to interfering in the work of the police and disciplinary board. Hence, they hope both the police and UMS Disciplinary Board would ignore his call and penalise the students concerned as a warning to others. Labuan activist Haji Abdul Jalil Ghani said the PM seems to have forgotten his own advice to Malaysians in March and again earlier this month that the rule of law must always be upheld and respected by all. 'Is the Prime Minister signalling that it is okay if the rule of law does not apply to all despite the severity of the students' actions?' he asked. He cited Anwar's remarks on managing sensitive issues over places of worship as well as in the case brought against him (Anwar) by one Muhd Yusoff Rawther. Jalili said he was not against the students holding a protest rally but that what they did in torching the Prime Minister's poster was clearly sedition. 'It has the effect of making Malaysians lose their respect for the office of the Prime Minister, whose appointment is derived from the ballot box and in circumstances rests on the prerogative of the Agong, as happened in the last election. 'It sets a bad precedent to let them off lightly. What if following this incident students are now made use of by unscrupulous quarters to burn the images of political party leaders during the coming Sabah election to provoke regrettable reactions,' he said. 'I personally also disagree with there being no requirement for a police permit before holding a rally,' he said, and said an urgent review of these relaxations that ape western-style protests are necessary to ensure public order. 'Recently, even the United States found out there must be limits to protests when street when President Donald Trump had to call in the National Guard to restore calm,' he said. PKR Tuaran division chief, Razeef Rakimin, described the act by the students as 'reckless, misguided and dangerous'. 'PKR Sabah has consistently defended the right to protest as long as it remains peaceful and purposeful, this act crosses the line of decency and common sense. 'PKR Sabah had supported previous peaceful assemblies organised by the same group, including those highlighting water shortages and corruption. Even the police, under this current government, have stated clearly there is no objection to demonstrations so long as they adhere to the law,' Razeef said. However, he said the group's tactics have veered dangerously away from constructive activism. 'They had good intentions that could have rallied Sabahans to their cause, but their campaign relied heavily on insults, provocation and mockery, making the public feel repulsed and disconnected from the movement,' he said. Razeef pointed to several troubling moments during the rally, including reports of participants harassing others who carried banners demanding investigation into RM1.5 billion in leakages despite the protest itself being against corruption. 'In another instance, demonstrators shouted at police officers who wanted to see their identification documents which is within the police's authority. 'The most serious episode, however, occurred on the second day of the protest, when demonstrators set fire to a caricature of the Prime Minister using petrol which is symbolically misguided and physically dangerous. The Prime Minister personally approved RM3 million to resolve UMS' water supply issues. He didn't take a single sen from the project. So why target him? Why not protest those actually accused of corruption?' he asked. 'Worse, one demonstrator was nearly engulfed in flames after a friend foolishly lit the fire while petrol was still being poured,' he said. Such acts posed serious safety risks, especially during the bustling Gaya Street Sunday Market, which was attended by tourists and families. 'Throwing petrol and flames around is not protest. It's reckless endangerment. This isn't about whether they cleaned up afterward. It's about how they jeopardised public safety and shamed the very image of student activism. 'Corruption is not our culture. But neither are extremism and vandalism,' he said. Beaufort GRS Youth Chief Mohd Shahril Osin said the UMS group violated Sabah values with their unacceptable uncivilised behaviour. 'This is not only barbaric but an open insult to the nation's leader, reflecting the organisers' failure to behave civilly when expressing their views,' he said. Shahril also criticised the involvement of Warisan leaders as evidenced in videos, claiming they exploited the students for political gain ahead of the 17th State Election. 'Warisan leaders should show good example, not create unrest in the state capital,' Shahril said. 'This foreign culture is excessive. Burning, provocation and chaos are not the culture of Sabahans known for civility, respect and moderation. 'The actions of a handful of students most of who are not even Sabahans clearly invite division, disturb harmony, and tarnish the UMS,' he said. He urged UMS management to take action to ensure the university is not used as a platform for external political manoeuvring. He said students should fight issues with knowledge and arguments, not emotions and uncivilised street actions. Pensiangan Keadilan Youth (AMK) Chief Mohd Guntur Sangkar said the actions of the students are irresponsible and uncivilised. 'Their action not only exceeds the bounds of decency as students, but constitutes an unhealthy provocation. It has the potential to incite political hatred and may threaten public order and societal harmony, especially in Sabah. 'Freedom of speech is a right guaranteed in the Constitution, but that right must not be abused to incite, insult or openly and rudely stir up sentiments of hatred against the country's leaders. 'Students should be the future generation that is mature, ethical and engages in intellectual discourse, rather than resorting to extreme actions,' he told the Daily Express. Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) Kinabatangan Chief Mohd Kuzaimih Mahalil described the act as uncivilised and contrary to the mature political culture that should be practised in a democratic nation. 'Differences of opinion and public demands should be expressed in a respectful manner, backed by facts and upholding values of respect,' he said, after lodging a police report, Wednesday. 'Not by ridiculing or insulting symbols of leaders who are bringing notable changes to the country's administration,' Kuzaimih added. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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