Event on statelessness disrupted, cops say no permit

A talk on statelessness at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in Selangor was disrupted when the authorities allegedly turned off the lights and fans mid-event.

One of the panellists, Yap Xiang, told Malaysiakini that despite the disruption, the talk continued.

The activist said that the event organiser, Malaysians Advocacy Assembly (Penubuhan Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia, or Haram), encouraged attendees to turn on their phone lights.

“The talk went on for about 30 minutes in that condition. More people actually came when they switched off the lights.

“Later, the university’s deputy rector came over and told us we could proceed normally.

“After 30 minutes, they switched the light and the fans back on,” he added.

The talk, titled “Warga Tidak Negara = Anak Haram?” (Non-citizens = Forbidden children?) was part of a series organised by Haram to explore statelessness issues in Malaysia.

The first session featured three speakers: Yap Xiang, former stateless person Wong Kueng Hui, and Buku Jalan Chow Kit co-founder Siti Rahayu Baharin.

Held at a cafe in the university yesterday, the event began at 830pm and extended beyond the expected time, wrapping up around 10.30pm as the audience remained engaged with the discussion.

Yap said over 50 people attended the event, including more than 10 auxiliary police officers. He also claimed to have spotted at least three Special Branch officers present.

As they continued in the dark, he used the moment to highlight the daily struggles of stateless individuals.

“I told the audience, ‘What we’re experiencing now reflects the daily reality for stateless people in Semporna, Sabah, especially the students of Sekolah Alternatif,’” he shared.

Sekolah Alternatif is a learning centre established by the Sabah-based NGO Borneo Komrad, which provides primary education to undocumented children in Tawau and Kota Kinabalu.

Commenting on the incident, Yap said the disruption did not dampen his resolve to speak out for the marginalised.

“We plan to visit as many universities as possible. Hopefully, future sessions won’t face this kind of intimidation,” he remarked.

No approval for event

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Gombak district police headquarters told reporters that the incident stemmed from university authorities attempting to halt the event, as the organisers allegedly failed to submit a request for approval.

No police reports were filed regarding the incident, said the spokesperson in a media WhatsApp group.

Yap explained that because Congress IIUM co-organised the event, they did not need to apply for a permit from the university.

“Congress IIUM is a governing party of the IIUM Student Union, so (permits) should not be an issue.

“Last week, Congress IIUM held an event at the same place without applying (for a permit) from the administration; it went okay,” he said.

In a statement, IIUM noted that the event had occurred in their Gombak campus without prior approval.

“Nonetheless, the forum proceeded peacefully and concluded without any cancellations or delays.

“The deputy rector (Student Affairs and Community Engagement), Mohamad Fauzan Noordin, who was on campus at the time, briefly engaged with the programme’s participants.

“He also permitted the forum to continue in the spirit of advocacy,” the statement read.

It also advised all student groups to follow the university’s standard operating procedure when planning to organise events or forums to avoid any potential issues.

Citizenship amendments: 'Most vulnerable groups will lose protection'

COMMENT | Save kids from statelessness, help Shima get citizenship

Stop Sabah village demolition or we'll take to the streets - student group

4 senior citizens from Lawas get citizenship after decades - activist