COMMENT | Last week, a small group of students under the banner Rakyat Benci Rasuah (The People Hate Corruption) staged a rally in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

One of their more controversial acts was the burning of the prime minister’s image. For that, several organisers were arrested and are now being investigated under the Sedition Act.

Many were quick to dismiss the protesters as disrespectful and overtly offensive. I, too, have issues with this particular action.

This is not because I disapprove of burning effigies or any kind of symbols in public assembly. Neither do I believe that the state should criminalise burning effigies.

My main concern is with the...