The Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, has revealed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has advised Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) not to expel students involved in the recent Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally, which went viral for burning a banner featuring a caricature of the Prime Minister.
Taking to his official Facebook page, Zambry shared the message that Anwar had conveyed to UMS, saying that the students shouldn’t be expelled as “their future and education are far more important, and should be prioritised”.
Anwar wants UMS not to expel students involved in the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally
Specifically, Zambry shared the following message from Anwar:
“The Prime Minister requested that UMS students involved in the recent incident not be expelled from the university.
“For the Prime Minister, although they may have made a mistake, their future and education are more important and must be prioritised.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Higher Education was quoted by BERNAMA as saying that Anwar’s message was conveyed to UMS to ensure that any disciplinary action taken would not jeopardise the students’ future, particularly their opportunity to complete their studies at the university.
Zambry was speaking to the reporters after attending the “In Person With Doc Zam” programme in conjunction with the Malaysia Madani Nationhood seminar at UMS today.
He added that the Prime Minister’s request reflects on his compassion, as even though he was the main target during the incident, Anwar told Zambry that he hoped UMS wouldn’t expel the students involved.
The Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally organised by Suara Mahasiswa UMS
Previously, on Sunday (22 June), a Malaysian student activist group, Suara Mahasiswa UMS, burned a banner featuring a caricature of Anwar with a message reading, “MADANI protector of Sabah corruption”.
The act was made during the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally, which is a play on the GRS acronym of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, the coalition of Sabah-based political parties currently helming the Sabah State Government.
The rally was aimed at the corruption scandal involving several assemblypersons in Sabah, as well as the appointment of Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah.
The rally’s participants are being investigated for several offences
Datuk Jauteh Dikun
Following the incident, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the student activists involved in the rally are being investigated for several offences related to the peaceful assembly.
These include incitement, open burning in a public area, possession of dangerous or corrosive substances during the protest, and raising sensitive issues involving royalty, religion, and race (3R).
The investigation is being carried out not only under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, but also under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Penal Code.
So, what do you guys think of the whole situation? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: PDRM: Participants in Sabah Rally Who Burned PMX’s Caricature Now Under Investigation for 9 Offences
