Kota Kinabalu police have arrested nine individuals with no identification documents who earlier today participated in a protest outside the Sabah chief minister’s office.

News agency Info X quoted Kota Kinabalu police chief Kasim Muda as confirming the arrests which follow the #KamiMahuAirSabah rally that reportedly started at 3pm today.

“As soon as they left in a vehicle, police conducted an inspection of the van and found nine individuals with no documents.

“All of them were taken to the police station and the documentation process is ongoing,” he was quoted as saying.

Malaysiakini understands those arrested were linked to a local school for stateless children, run by a Semporna-based NGO.

Kasim said police will also investigate the rally participants and organiser under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Failed memo handover

Earlier today, The Vibes reported more than 80 students had staged a sit-in after a failed attempt to hand a memorandum to Chief Minister Hajiji Noor who was not in the office at Menara Kinabalu when the rallygoers arrived at about 3pm.

According to the online portal, the group refused to budge despite being met by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Shahelmy Yahya who offered to receive their memorandum that highlighted the state’s water woes.

Bernama quoted Shahelmey, who is also the state public works minister, as saying that his ministry is in the process of stabilising water pressure to ensure stable water supply in all areas of the state.

He reportedly said the Sabah Water Department has also implemented a programme to increase the level of clean water supply, especially for residents on the east coast of Sabah.

“In Tawau we are building a (water) dam, constructing a water treatment plant in Lahad Datu and restoring water supply in Sandakan.

“This water supply does not mean talking about today and tomorrow everything will be available, it needs a reasonable time to be implemented,” he told reporters at Menara Kinabalu.

It was also reported that tensions rose when Kasim approached the rallygoers and urged them to leave, but they refused to do so.

As of around 10pm, a group of rally participants were still gathered near the protest site, under police watch.

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