Sabah anti-graft rally: Student group slams police, PM over sedition probe
The organiser of the 'Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0' rally in Kota Kinabalu has slammed the police for arresting three student activists in connection with the protest.
In a statement, student activist group Suara Mahasiswa UMS claimed that police summoned the trio to the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters over a report that one of them had lodged about an acid attack, which saw several cars damaged during the rally over the weekend.
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The Star
28 minutes ago
- The Star
Student group launches campaign calling for release of detained activists
KOTA KINABALU: Student group Suara Mahasiswa UMS has launched the #SABAH3 campaign, calling for the immediate release of three activists recently detained under the Sedition Act 1948. The campaign follows the arrest of their leader Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim, member Aliff Danial Badrul Akmal Hisham, and local activist Sabir Syarifuddin. In a statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday (June 24), Suara Mahasiswa UMS claimed that the three were wrongly detained for their involvement in the recent Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally. They stated that the two UMS undergraduates were arrested at the Kota Kinabalu District Police headquarters when they went to lodge a report after acid was allegedly splashed on Fadhil's car. 'We strongly reject this abuse of power and demand that the authorities release all three activists immediately. "This is why we are launching the #SABAH3 campaign, to mobilise public support,' they said in a post. They also criticised Kota Kinabalu district police chief Asst Comm Kasim Muda for initially denying the arrests, calling it misleading to the media and public. The Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 protest, held over June 21–22, saw students gather peacefully to protest against corruption and unresolved water problems on campus, but escalated into controversy when some demonstrators burnt caricatures of the Prime Minister on the final day. Meanwhile, Parti Warisan legal adviser Chin Tek Ming, who was also summoned by police in connection with the rally, voiced support for the students and their cause. In a statement on Tuesday (June 24), he confirmed giving a statement to the authorities earlier but clarified that he was not present during the caricature-burning incident. While he did not condone the burning of placards, he stressed that the students felt they had no avenue left to pursue. Earlier, Anwar advised that UMS students involved in the recent Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally should not face expulsion. According to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Anwar acknowledged the students may have made a mistake but stressed that their education and future should take priority. This follows an earlier statement by UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor that 13 students could face disciplinary action under the Universities and University Colleges Act 2012, which may include suspension or expulsion.
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Two students reportedly arrested
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Julia Chan, Malay Mail Text Size: Student activists involved in the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally cleaning up burn marks on the ground with brushes and soap after the burning of a caricature of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.— Pictures courtesy of Suara Mahasiswa UMS Kota Kinabalu: Two student activists linked to last weekend's Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally were allegedly arrested under the Sedition Act, following backlash over the burning of a caricature of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Student activist Qistina Qaisara said in a WhatsApp message to reporters that Muhammad Fadhil Kasim and Aliff Danial Badrul Akmal Hisham were arrested after arriving at the Sabah police headquarters in Kepayan. 'Fadhil was called in by police to assist with a forensic investigation into the report that their car had been splashed with acid,' she said. 'But when they arrived, both Fadhil and Aliff were immediately arrested under the Sedition Act. Their lawyers had not yet arrived,' she added. On Monday, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said some of the students involved in the rally were being investigated for allegedly violating the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. He said police had opened three investigation papers covering nine potential offences, including incitement involving race, religion and royalty (3Rs), carrying dangerous objects, and open burning. Advertisement The student-led rally, held in the city centre, was largely peaceful until the burning of the caricature, which drew criticism from several groups. * 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malaysiakini
12 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Cops release student activists nabbed over Sabah anti-graft rally
Three Sabah student activists who were arrested earlier today over the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally have been released on police bail. The trio - Fadhil Kasim, Aliff Danial Badrul Akmal Hisham, and Sabir Syarafuddin - walked out of the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters about 7.50pm.
