KUALA LUMPUR – The presence of armed police personnel at the “Gempur Rasuah Sabah” student-led rally has incited ire online, with non-governmental organisation Bersih slamming authorities for the apparent exaggerated response to the protest.
In a post on X, the electoral watchdog shared a photo of a scene at the protest, which started earlier today from Gerbang Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to the state’s administration building at Menara Kinabalu.
The photo shows police officers carrying rifles who seem to be watching the crowd, which is said to have numbered approximately 50 when the march started.
In the background of the photo, a team from the police’s riot control force, the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and a Black Maria, which is a police vehicle used to transport detainees, are spotted on standby.
Having previously expressed support for the rally as part of the people’s right to assemble peacefully, Bersih said in the caption of its post: “It is unreasonable to bring assault weapons to a peaceful protest organised by students.
“Students are not terrorists!” it added, with the former vice-chief of PKR’s student wing, Yap Xiang, expressing similar sentiments in a separate post depicting FRU machinery and more Black Marias.
Photos posted on social media of the gathering also show the marching crowd raising placards and posters with anti-corruption messages aimed at politicians, including newly appointed Sabah governor Tun Musa Aman and state Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Based on a TikTok livestream by rally organisers Suara Mahasiswa UMS, activists are delivering speeches and leading chants while protest attendees camp at their gathering spot near Menara Kinabalu.
The organisers had previously announced plans to remain at the gathering location until after midnight as a symbolic move of ushering in the new year with a firm anti-corruption stance.
The rally was held today despite Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun previously saying that police had decided not to approve the rally on grounds that the authorities wanted to maintain public order.
UMS’ student representatives council had also advised students to avoid the rally but said it would not prevent those who choose to attend the event, claiming that some issues raised at the rally could be against the law.
Meanwhile, Sin Chew reported that a counter rally, named “Sabahans Rise Up” which is in support of Hajiji’s administration had commenced at around 2pm today before drawing a crowd of about 1,000 people from various ethnic communities. – December 31, 2024