PETALING JAYA: Electoral reform group Bersih has criticised the burning of a caricature of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim by a student organisation during the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally, saying the act diverted attention from the rally’s main message of fighting corruption.
Bersih chairman Faisal Abdul Aziz stressed that gatherings must prioritise decorum and public safety to ensure participants behave responsibly.
“It’s important that the main message of the rally doesn’t get diverted from its original aim, which is to fight corruption. The key takeaway should be the participants’ call for the government to show a real commitment to combating corruption,” he said as quoted by FMT.
Over 100 participants reportedly took part in the rally, which was organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah which began around 1 pm last Saturday (June 21) and continued until 11 am the next day (June 22).
The rally aimed to highlight prolonged water disruptions on campus allegedly tied to corruption within the Sabah Water Department, but drew backlash after ending with the burning of Anwar’s caricature
Several quarters, including leaders from Anwar’s party PKR, condemned the act as excessive and disrespectful.
Among them was PKR Wanita executive council member Siti Norffinie Yassin, who said that while student activism is important in holding the government accountable, protests must remain within the bounds of cultural norms and civility.
Meanwhile, Faisal also said the public held high expectations for the government to fulfil its reform agenda, including ensuring that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) operates independently and is held accountable.
He warned that delays in prosecuting individuals linked to corruption scandals in Sabah could erode public confidence in the authorities.
“The government must also expedite its promise to separate the roles of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor, and to table the political financing bill as a game-changer in the fight against corruption,” he said.
Police have since opened an investigation into the caricature burning under the Sedition Act and the Penal Code.
UMS vice-chancellor Kasim Nor was quoted by the Daily Express as saying that 13 students identified at the rally could face disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.
Of the 13, only two were involved in the caricature burning.
A disciplinary committee comprising appointed academics will be set up to investigate and determine suitable action under the Universities and University Colleges Act 2012 and each student will be called individually to explain their involvement in the incident.