Police open probes into rally, focus on organisers and alleged acid attack
Datuk Jauteh Dikun
KOTA KINABALU (June 23): Police have opened three investigation papers in connection with the 'Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0' anti-corruption rally.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the cases involve around nine offences, including incitement, 3R (race, religion, royalty) issues, public burning and possession of dangerous items during the assembly. These follow six police reports lodged over the weekend incident.
Several individuals will be called in to give statements starting Monday (June 23), he said, without disclosing their identities to avoid disrupting the investigation, which involves the police, rally participants and members of the public.
Police are also investigating a report that a student's car was doused with acid during the rally. Jauteh said this case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code, which relates to defamation, following claims made by the students.
The rally organisers had alleged in a statement that a man dressed in black, purportedly a Special Branch officer, was responsible for the acid attack.
Jauteh said investigations are focusing on the Suara Mahasiswa UMS group that organised the protest, as well as possible links to another group, referred to by the public as the 'white shirts'.
'If any laws were broken during the rally, we will act accordingly. Upon completion, the investigation papers will be submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action,' he said during a press conference at the Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) in Kepayan on Monday.
He noted that several incidents occurred during the rally which 'should not have happened.'
On the legality of the rally, Jauteh clarified that under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, organisers must submit a notice to police five days before a gathering, detailing the organiser's name, route and objective.
Police will respond within three days, and if no response is given, the assembly may proceed.
In this case, he said a notice was received and the Kota Kinabalu district police chief issued 16 conditions for the organisers to follow.
'The gathering was never approved; what happened was in line with standard procedure under the Peaceful Assembly Act,' he stressed. 'Unfortunately, the organisers did not comply with the conditions, nor did they mention any plan to burn placards or express dissatisfaction towards the Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri.'
He also addressed public concern about non-UMS students joining the protest, stating that under Section 4 of the Peaceful Assembly Act, all Malaysians aged 15 and above are legally allowed to participate.
Jauteh advised students planning protests to go through proper channels.
'They can write a letter, meet the relevant authorities as a group, and then hold a press conference to voice their concerns — without resorting to actions that break the law.
'Although the protest was intended to make their voices heard, it must not provoke any party,' he added.
The two-day rally concluded controversially on Sunday when protesters burned a large placard, featuring a caricature of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, at Lintasan Deasoka near Gaya Street on Sunday morning. The banner also carried the phrase 'Madani Protector of Sabah Corruption'.
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