Latest news with #MuhamadFadhilMuhamadKasim
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
UMS students and activist released on bail after rally
KOTA KINABALU: Two Universiti Malaysia Sabah undergraduates and an activist, arrested in connection with the recent Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally were released on police bail on the same day. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun confirmed their release on Thursday (June 26) but did not provide further details. 'They were released on bail on the same day,' he said briefly when contacted. It is understood that Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim and Aliff Danial Badrul Akmal Hisham were arrested under the Sedition Act 1948 when they arrived at the Kepayan police headquarters to lodge a report about an incident where Fadhil's car was allegedly splashed with acid on Saturday (June 21). Their arrests followed a peaceful overnight rally over the weekend led by UMS students, who gathered to protest against corruption and long-standing issues such as poor infrastructure and water supply woes in the state. The rally drew controversy after participants burned placards depicting a caricature of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the final day.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Student group launches campaign calling for release of detained activists
KOTA KINABALU: Student group Suara Mahasiswa UMS has launched the #SABAH3 campaign, calling for the immediate release of three activists recently detained under the Sedition Act 1948. The campaign follows the arrest of their leader Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim, member Aliff Danial Badrul Akmal Hisham, and local activist Sabir Syarifuddin. In a statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday (June 24), Suara Mahasiswa UMS claimed that the three were wrongly detained for their involvement in the recent Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally. They stated that the two UMS undergraduates were arrested at the Kota Kinabalu District Police headquarters when they went to lodge a report after acid was allegedly splashed on Fadhil's car. 'We strongly reject this abuse of power and demand that the authorities release all three activists immediately. "This is why we are launching the #SABAH3 campaign, to mobilise public support,' they said in a post. They also criticised Kota Kinabalu district police chief Asst Comm Kasim Muda for initially denying the arrests, calling it misleading to the media and public. The Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 protest, held over June 21–22, saw students gather peacefully to protest against corruption and unresolved water problems on campus, but escalated into controversy when some demonstrators burnt caricatures of the Prime Minister on the final day. Meanwhile, Parti Warisan legal adviser Chin Tek Ming, who was also summoned by police in connection with the rally, voiced support for the students and their cause. In a statement on Tuesday (June 24), he confirmed giving a statement to the authorities earlier but clarified that he was not present during the caricature-burning incident. While he did not condone the burning of placards, he stressed that the students felt they had no avenue left to pursue. Earlier, Anwar advised that UMS students involved in the recent Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally should not face expulsion. According to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Anwar acknowledged the students may have made a mistake but stressed that their education and future should take priority. This follows an earlier statement by UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor that 13 students could face disciplinary action under the Universities and University Colleges Act 2012, which may include suspension or expulsion.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Student duo involved in KK anti-graft rally held under Sedition Act
KOTA KINABALU: Two university students involved in last weekend's Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally have been arrested under the Sedition Act 1948. It is learnt that Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student group leaders Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim and Aliff Danial Badrul Akmal Hisham were detained when they arrived at the police headquarters in Kepayan on Tuesday (June 24) to lodge a report about another incident. They allege that Fadhil's car was splashed with acid on Saturday (June 21). ALSO READ: Sabah cops to probe Gempur Rasuah 2.0 Rally Another representative of the group, Qistina Qaisara Syahril Akmar, claimed that the duo were arrested without their lawyers present. She accused the police of using excessive force when arresting them. 'We will update when we have more information,' she said. ALSO READ: Burning PM's caricature distracts from anti-graft rally's real message, says Bersih On Saturday and Sunday (June 22), a group of protestors led by UMS students staged an overnight peaceful rally to voice their dissatisfaction over various issues, including corruption, infrastructure and water woes. The rally started out peacefully but ended in controversy when the students burnt placards with a caricature of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday. It is also learnt that several individuals will be called to have their statements taken, while Parti Warisan legal advisor Chin Tek Ming has been summoned to give his statement at 2pm on Tuesday.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Students gear up for ‘Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0' rally amid political tensions
KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student group Suara Mahasiswa is planning to stage a second anti-corruption rally titled 'Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0' next month. Its president Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim said the rally aims to uphold integrity and demand accountability from state leaders and institutions. 'We are launching this second rally following unresolved corruption scandals involving Sabah state assemblymen, persistent infrastructure failures such as water, electricity and road issues, and recent integrity crises surrounding high-level appointments,' he said in a live video on Saturday (May 17). He said the event is scheduled to take place on June 21 and 22 here, with the specific location to be announced five days before the assembly after police are notified, in accordance with the Peaceful Assembly Act. 'The last time we held a rally, a carnival was also held near our location. Students are constantly told to use the 'proper channels' and remain polite, but our concerns, from the prolonged water crisis at UMS to rising tuition fees, are left unaddressed. This time, the student group is making four key demands, the first was for UMS to take the Sabah Water Department to court over its alleged failures, secondly for full separation of powers in the appointment of the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, thirdly for tougher anti-corruption laws, and the last is to oppose the reappointment of the state Governor. In response to the planned gathering, Gagasan Rakyat information chief Datuk Zulkarnain Mahdar urged the students to refrain from being manipulated by political actors and warned that the rally could cause public unrest. 'Street protests are not the way to resolve issues, especially in the lead-up to the state elections. 'We advise students not to become tools for those with hidden political agendas,' he said. Zulkarnain also defended the government's handling of infrastructure and economic challenges, stating that efforts are ongoing to address the people's concerns. 'If students are sincere, they should engage constructively with the government, not create provocations that could disrupt peace,' he said, adding that such actions could backfire and harm the credibility of UMS and its student body.
