Latest news with #GempurRasuahSabah2.0
The Star
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Students' freedom of speech respected, says UMS
KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) respects students' freedom of speech and encourages the ethical and responsible sharing of information and views through official platforms. In a statement issued by UMS's corporate communication centre, it said that students have freedom of speech under the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971. This statement comes after the varsity's student body, Suara Mahasiswa UMS, announced plans for a Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 peaceful assembly next month to voice concerns about water supply issues and other pressing matters. "As a public institution which upholds integrity and good administration, UMS wishes to stress that the welfare of students will always remain a priority," UMS said. "Since the water supply issue began, many mitigation measures have been taken proactively, including installing static water tanks, supply via lorries, tube well installation, and continued collaboration with the Sabah Water Department and other authorities," it said. It added that students could voice their concerns through platforms such as their student council and the student affairs department. "UMS is committed to remaining a professional, progressive, and authoritative higher learning institution for the benefit of the campus and community," it added. UMS student Qistina Qaisara Syahril Akmar shared her personal opinion, stating that such commitment to respecting their freedom of speech is very much welcomed. She said it is a correct move, which should have been in practice for a long time, adding that this helps to educate and create future leaders. "In welcoming this statement, we must also remember that freedom of speech is not a gift but a right that we have been fighting for despite the pressures received during this journey," she said. Although Qistina is speaking personally, she is also the deputy president of Suara Mahasiswa Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). She believes a university is not only a place to seek pointers and education but a platform to build intellectual, moral, and civic bravery. Qistina added that the students were not staging assemblies blindly but were doing it for the sake of fairness and the benefit of all students. Previously, this group staged its first Gempur Rasuah rally on December 31 last year.
Daily Express
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
UMS students to hold rally again
Published on: Monday, May 19, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 19, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Fadhil (third from right) with fellow student activists holding up their statement on the upcoming Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally. Kota Kinabalu: UMS students are set to take to the streets again, with Suara Mahasiswa planning a second major anti-corruption rally, 'Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0,' on June 21 and 22, to demand accountability from those in power and push for systemic reforms. The two-day protest aims to highlight long-standing issues like the ongoing water crisis at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), which the group described as a symbol of failed governance and a 'humiliation' of students' basic rights. Advertisement 'Students have had to bathe using bottled water, check into hotels just to clean themselves, and spend their own money to cover the failures of the state Water Department,' said the group's leader, Fadhil Kasim. Suara Mahasiswa, which organised the first Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally on Dec 31 last year, along with the 'Kami Mahu Air' rally earlier in 2024, urged UMS to take legal action against the Water Department. They accused the department of forcing students to endure harsh conditions on campus and spend their own money just to access clean water. 'The department has gone unpunished for too long,' he said. Advertisement The group also called for a complete separation of powers in the appointment of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief, criticising the current system where the Prime Minister directly appoints the MACC chief as politically compromised. They also demanded stricter anti-corruption laws, including mandatory suspension for any minister, elected representative, or senior official charged with corruption. They proposed caning as a punishment for serious corruption offences, describing this as a necessary deterrent to combat what they called a deeply entrenched culture of corruption. They also accused officials of trying to 'suppress student voices' through 'intellectual intimidation' and public statements that create fear among potential protesters. 'Stop making cowardly and stupid statements that intimidate the public and create a false narrative about our rights,' one speaker said, directly challenging senior officials. They said the exact locations for the rally would only be disclosed five days before the event to prevent potential disruptions. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
Daily Express
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
UMS students to hold anti-corruption rally again on June 21-22
Published on: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 18, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Sabah students are set to take to the streets again, with Suara Mahasiswa planning a second major anti-corruption rally, "Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0," on June 21 and 22 to demand accountability from those in power and push for systemic reforms. The two-day protest aims to highlight long-standing issues like the ongoing water crisis at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), which the group described as a symbol of failed governance and a 'humiliation' of students' basic rights. Advertisement According to the group's president, Fadhil Kasim, the rally is not just a protest but a loud and clear warning to those who continue to 'destroy' Sabah for personal gain. 'Students have had to bathe using bottled water, check into hotels just to clean themselves, and spend their own money to cover the failures of JANS,' Fadhil said, adding that no one has been held accountable to date. They added that the exact locations for the June rally would only be disclosed five days before the event to prevent potential disruptions, a precaution they said was necessary after past attempts to suppress student activism. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
The Star
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Students gear up for ‘Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0' rally amid political tensions
KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student group Suara Mahasiswa is planning to stage a second anti-corruption rally titled 'Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0' next month. Its president Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim said the rally aims to uphold integrity and demand accountability from state leaders and institutions. 'We are launching this second rally following unresolved corruption scandals involving Sabah state assemblymen, persistent infrastructure failures such as water, electricity and road issues, and recent integrity crises surrounding high-level appointments,' he said in a live video on Saturday (May 17). He said the event is scheduled to take place on June 21 and 22 here, with the specific location to be announced five days before the assembly after police are notified, in accordance with the Peaceful Assembly Act. 'The last time we held a rally, a carnival was also held near our location. Students are constantly told to use the 'proper channels' and remain polite, but our concerns, from the prolonged water crisis at UMS to rising tuition fees, are left unaddressed. This time, the student group is making four key demands, the first was for UMS to take the Sabah Water Department to court over its alleged failures, secondly for full separation of powers in the appointment of the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, thirdly for tougher anti-corruption laws, and the last is to oppose the reappointment of the state Governor. In response to the planned gathering, Gagasan Rakyat information chief Datuk Zulkarnain Mahdar urged the students to refrain from being manipulated by political actors and warned that the rally could cause public unrest. 'Street protests are not the way to resolve issues, especially in the lead-up to the state elections. 'We advise students not to become tools for those with hidden political agendas,' he said. Zulkarnain also defended the government's handling of infrastructure and economic challenges, stating that efforts are ongoing to address the people's concerns. 'If students are sincere, they should engage constructively with the government, not create provocations that could disrupt peace,' he said, adding that such actions could backfire and harm the credibility of UMS and its student body.
