Govt should help 'undocumented' protesters, not arrest them - activists

A group of activists from Sabah held a candlelight vigil last night in solidarity with nine undocumented individuals arrested at a protest outside the Sabah Chief Minister’s Office last week.

Sabah Bersih coordinator Asraf Sharafi who was present at the vigil called on Putrajaya to help the detainees instead of arresting them.

This comes after a teacher named Syahfeeq Rondin and eight students from Sekolah Alternatif, a school for stateless children, were arrested on June 14 during the #KamiMahuAirSabah rally.

“Those who were detained were part of a larger road tour (organised by Borneo Komrad) towards forming ‘Universiti Alternatif’.

“We hope that Syahfeeq and the students will be released soon so that they can continue their education road tour,” Asraf told Malaysiakini today.

Kota Kinabalu district police chief Kasim Muda on Saturday night confirmed the arrest of “nine undocumented individuals” and said that the rally participants and organiser will be investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Asraf lambasted the government for using the “illegal immigrants” narrative, especially in the recent arrest as the nine are from the Bajau Laut community who are stateless and not undocumented migrants.

“This gives a negative perspective towards the rally.

“There is a need for political commitment and an honest political will from the government to solve this issue,” he stressed.

Sabah-based NGO Borneo Komrad founder Mukmin Nantang also confirmed that the detained students were of Bajau Laut descent.

Do more to solve statelessness

The vigil urged the government to promptly resolve issues of statelessness.

“There are thousands more undocumented children denied the right to education and they seem to be ‘hunted’ every day by the authorities,” Asraf added.

The vigil, which was held in front of Todak Waterfront Kota Kinabalu, was attended by about 30 people. Also present was graphic designer and activist Fahmi Reza.

‘PM, please help free my students’

Mukmin today questioned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s relative silence over the matter.

The Sekolah Alternatif founder reminded Anwar that the latter was quick to speak up when he was arrested three years ago for protesting the extension of an enhanced movement control order in Kampung Muhibbah Raya, Tawau, Sabah.

“Now, eight of my students have been detained – three of them are underage.

“Can I ask you (Anwar) to respond and free my students? They only want to learn. Thank you,” he said on X.

Mukmin had also recently alleged that an eviction operation was carried out against the Bajau Laut community living on seven islands in Semporna - Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Sebangkat, and Pulau Sibuan.

Activists had also piled on the pressure for the government to halt further attempts to oppress the Bajau Laut community, warning that they’ll take to the streets if it continues.

In an update on Instagram at around 9pm on June 19, Borneo Komrad posted that after being remanded for four days, Syahfeeq was released on police bail.

“We are grateful for everyone’s support and solidarity. Syahfeeq is in good health. The students in custody are also in good condition.

“The fight is not over. There are still eight Sekolah Alternatif students in custody. We are working hard to find a way to free these students.

“They still want to go to school, learn and be free like other children,” said the group.

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