Latest news with #SabahGempurRasuah2.0
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
PM: Don't bar UMS student demonstrators from continuing their studies
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to ensure that students involved in the recent incident of burning a caricature of him are not barred from continuing their academic journey. The prime minister's senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said the future of the youth should not be sacrificed in the face of differing views. He said that as a former student activist and reformist, Anwar has consistently defended freedom of speech as enshrined in the Constitution. "The recent incident involving the burning of a caricature of the prime minister in Kota Kinabalu serves as a reminder of the people's deep hope that corruption will be eradicated at its roots. "The prime minister himself emerged from the student movement and once led the 'reformasi' movement in the streets, which gives him a genuine understanding of that voice. He has witnessed firsthand that criticism, no matter how harsh, is a vital part of celebrating democracy. "In line with the Madani approach, which prioritises compassion, the prime minister has also instructed the MOHE and UMS to ensure that the students involved are not barred from continuing their academic journey. The future of the youth should not be sacrificed in the face of differing views," he said during the Prime Minister's Office daily briefing today. Tunku Nashrul said Anwar had emphasised that the spirit of change begins with the courage of young people to speak the truth, guided by facts and sincere intentions. On the government's part, he said, its commitment to reform remains strong and is already being translated into concrete action. "This commitment will not stop here; it will continue to be refined and implemented in a structured manner. "For the sake of future generations, the Madani government will continue on the path of reform, ensuring that every effort to combat corruption leads to the well-being and prosperity of all Malaysians," he said. Earlier today, police said they detained three participants of the Sabah Gempur Rasuah 2.0 after recording their statements. Kota Kinabalu police chief, Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda said that all three were detained under the Sedition Act, and for burning a caricature of the prime minister. "All three were detained after having their statements recorded regarding the act of vandalism on a student's vehicle and the organisation of the assembly, he said.
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Police deny detaining students after Sabah anti-graft rally
KOTA KINABALU: Police have denied detaining two participants of the Sabah Gempur Rasuah 2.0 peaceful assembly, as alleged by Borneo Komrad activist Mukmin Nantang in a Facebook post today. Instead, both students were only summoned to give statements regarding a police report they had lodged. Kota Kinabalu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda said the students were called to the police station to provide statements concerning an incident where a student's car was splashed with acid. He said after providing their statements, police recorded an additional statement from them as part of the investigation into the organisation of the assembly. "Police have denied the statement made by one of the assembly participants who claimed that his two friends were arrested and assaulted by police. "He claimed that his friend was beaten, but that is not true. We told them not to go live, record or take pictures. That's what we prohibited. So, there is no issue of assault," he said today. Kasim said the term "detention" was used because the students were summoned to give statements regarding the peaceful assembly. "We recorded their statements because one of them was listed as the chairman of the assembly." In a Facebook post, Mukmin alleged that Suara Mahasiswa Universiti Malaysia Sabah president Fadhil Kasim and Aliff Danial Badrul Akmal Hisham were detained when they went to the Kota Kinabalu police station. This followed their lodging of a police report after a student's car was doused with acid during the assembly. Mukmin also claimed that Fadhil reported being subjected to force, including being beaten and yelled at.
