UMS condemns burning of PM’s caricature, to lodge police report

Summary

• Universiti Malaysia Sabah condemns the burning of a caricature of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, calling it uncivilised and not reflective of student values.

• The university says it will lodge a police report over the matter while also expressing regret over statements which questioned the appointment of Musa Aman as Sabah governor.

• A disciplinary committee is being formed to take action against students under the Universities and University College Act, including the possibility of expulsion.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will lodge a police report and start disciplinary proceedings over the burning of a caricature of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the “Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0” rally in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

In a statement today, UMS stressed that it was not involved, either directly or indirectly, in the incident.

It said it takes the matter seriously, noting that the act has gone viral on social media.

“This goes against the norms of a peaceful assembly. UMS also views the act as uncivilised and immature, and it does not reflect the intellectual calibre expected of students at institutions of higher education,” it said.

UMS also strongly rejected any actions that risk causing harm, not only to participants but also to the public.

“The university management will lodge a police report on this incident and will leave it to the authorities to carry out further investigations,” it added.

The university further expressed deep regret over statements made by “the group” questioning the appointment of Musa Aman as the state governor.

It said the appointment was made with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and should be respected.

Meanwhile, a separate report in the Daily Express today quoted UMS vice-chancellor Kasim Mansor saying that 13 UMS students identified in the rally, including two involved in the burning of the caricature, may face disciplinary action under the Universities and University College Act (Amended) 2012.

This includes the possibility of suspension or expulsion.

Kasim reportedly said a disciplinary committee will be formed soon to call each student individually to give their explanation and decide appropriate action against the students.

Legal advice from the Higher Education Ministry’s legal adviser will also be sought before any decision is made.

The rally, which began at about 1pm on Saturday and continued until 11am yesterday, saw over 100 students and supporters gather to voice their demands, primarily calling for legal action against the Sabah Water Department and for full autonomy for the MACC.

The rally participants, mostly university students, targeted Anwar, Sabah assemblypersons implicated in the mining licence corruption scandal, as well as Musa.

Student activist group Suara Mahasiswa UMS ended the rally by burning a caricature of the prime minister.

PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim has condemned the incident.

COMMENT | I'm ashamed over young activists' banner burning

PM's image burned because attention seekers had no valid arguments: Kamil

Students torch PM's caricature in 'fiery end' to peaceful KK rally

Over 100 join anti-graft rally in Sabah, call out 'hypocrite' PM