Anwar knows 'harsh criticisms' crucial for democracy, says aide

Summary

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s aide stated that as a former student activist himself, the PM understands that harsh criticisms are vital to democracy. 

• This follows the arrest and sedition investigation of three student activists over a protest where a caricature of Anwar was burnt.

As a former activist himself, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is well aware that “harsh criticisms” are crucial in celebrating democracy, his senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said.

In his daily press briefing, which was aired live, Nashrul said the spirit of change must be rooted in “facts and sincere intentions”.

The remarks follow last Sunday’s Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 protest in Sabah, where student demonstrators concluded a 22-hour anti-corruption demonstration by burning a poster of Anwar bearing the words “Madani protector of corrupt Sabahans”.

Sekretariat Rakyat Benci Rasuah spokesperson Fadhil Kasim said the banner symbolised a scathing critique of Anwar’s administration, which the group claimed had failed to uphold promises of institutional reforms.

The burning of Anwar’s caricature courted criticism from various quarters, including PKR Youth chief Kamil Abdul Munim, who said they resorted to burning as they lacked valid arguments.

In response to the backlash, Fadhil said that he was inspired by Anwar’s student protests in the past, including when he burned a book regarding the May 13 riots by Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

“The prime minister himself emerged from student movements and once led reform movements on the streets, so he truly understands that voice; he himself is a witness that criticisms, however harsh they may be, are an important part of celebrating democracy.

“He conveys the message that the spirit of change begins with young people’s courage to voice the truth based on facts and sincere intentions. On the government’s part, the commitment to reform remains steadfast and has been translated into concrete actions.

“This reform commitment will not stop here, and it will continue to be refined and implemented in a structured manner," Nashrul added.

He said that Anwar has also directed the Higher Education Ministry and Universiti Malaysia Sabah to ensure that the students who were involved in the protest are “not hindered” in their academic progress, as young people’s futures “must not be sacrificed in the tide of differing viewpoints”.

Three students detained

Police have since arrested two Sabah student activists who torched the caricature of Anwar.

Kota Kinabalu district police chief Kasim Muda confirmed the arrests of Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 coordinators Fadhil and Aliff Danial Badrul Akmal Hisham.

A third student who did not participate in the burning, Sabir Syarafuddin, was also arrested.

Kasim said the students are being investigated under the Sedition Act, among others.

The rally, aimed at pressuring Anwar to act against corrupt politicians, began about 1pm on Saturday and saw the participation of over 100 protesters.

The rally goers also urged legal action against the Sabah Water Department and called for full autonomy for the MACC.

It came to a fiery end at about 11am on Sunday with the burning of a large banner bearing a caricature of Anwar.

Fadhil, who was the group’s spokesperson, said the banner symbolised a scathing critique of Anwar’s administration, which the group claimed had failed to uphold promises of institutional reforms.

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