'Gempur Rasuah Sabah' reveals road map, anticipates 10k participants

Summary

• The ‘Gempur Rasuah Sabah’ rally is anticipating 10,000 participants, with communities from Sandakan, Tawau, Keningau, and Peninsular Malaysia joining to protest corruption in the state.

• The rally organisers have submitted the route map and notice to the police, with Suara Mahasiswa being the only group officially notifying authorities, while Suhakam will be invited to observe the event.

• Participants are encouraged to wear traditional or anti-corruption-themed clothing and bring banners with anti-corruption messages, but attire or materials promoting political parties are strictly prohibited.

The secretariat for the “Gempur Rasuah Sabah” rally anticipates a turnout of 10,000 participants for the peaceful assembly against corruption in Sabah on New Year’s Eve.

In a statement today, the secretariat said the strong sentiment on social media surrounding the rally reflects the public's deep dissatisfaction and firm protest against the corruption crisis, which has tarnished the dignity of Sabah.

"We have been informed that communities from Sandakan, Tawau, Keningau, and Peninsular Malaysia are planning to join the assembly on Dec 31."

The secretariat also confirmed that the route map for the assembly has been submitted to the police, along with the notice of assembly, which was filed on Dec 19 at the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters.

"The police have also confirmed that Suara Mahasiswa UMS is the only party that submitted a notice for an assembly in front of the Sabah State Administration Centre," it said.

On Dec 20, Suara Mahasiswa UMS announced that the Kota Kinabalu police had accepted the organiser’s notice under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 to hold the anti-corruption rally outside the Sabah State Administration Centre.

However, it was later reported that a separate group also intends to gather at the same time and venue, prompting Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin to urge all parties to abide by the law.

The secretariat further stated that Suhakam would be invited as an observer for the assembly.

For participants, the secretariat noted that they are free to wear attire of their choice, including traditional clothing representing their ethnicity or clothing bearing anti-corruption messages or similar themes.

"However, clothing promoting political parties is strictly prohibited.

"Participants are free to bring banners or placards with anti-corruption messages or expressions of their grievances. However, banners or placards containing elements that promote political parties are strictly forbidden," it said.

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