Latest news with #SherellJeffrey
Daily Express
21 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Sabah third highest in HIV cases
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Dzurizah (seated second left) and Asmady (seated second right) in a group photo with students and attendees. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has Malaysia's third highest HIV cases after Selangor and Kuala Lumpur with 344 new cases recorded in 2024. The UMS Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities aims to increase awareness among students to spread information and understanding to peers, family members and the public about HIV/AIDS and LGBT issues. Speaking at the Red Ribbon Talk, its Programme Director Prof. Dr Dzurizah Ibrahim said the forum is an educational platform and awareness initiative that aims to provide exposure to students about HIV issues that are becoming increasingly serious, especially among young people. She said the percentage of HIV cases among young Malaysians, particularly those aged between 20 to 29 years, is also at an alarming rate. 'What is more concerning is that recent statistics also show that many of those infected are men who practice risky sexual behaviour that is often done without knowledge, without information and without consideration of long-term consequences, whether in terms of health, emotions or their own future. 'In the era of globalisation and information openness, many students are exposed to external influences including deviant lifestyles that contradict Malaysia's religious, cultural and moral values. 'We cannot allow the normalisation of lifestyles that harm public health or corrupt the morals of the younger generation who will build our nation's success in the future. 'Most importantly, the programme aims to reduce social stigma towards HIV patients and ensure they are not to be shunned but to be understood, helped and supported,' she said. Meanwhile, UMS' Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Dean Prof Dr Asmady Idris who officiated the ceremony, said the timing of the programme is important given Sabah's HIV statistics. 'The hosting of the Red Ribbon Talk 2025 is very timely, especially when Sabah has been listed as the third-highest State in Malaysia recording new HIV cases,' he said. He said that while there has been a decrease in the number of cases compared to previous years, the figures shared in Parliament in March 2025 remain concerning and require serious attention from all parties. He pointed out that the LGBT issues discussed in the forum is not intended to condemn anyone but to understand social reality, approach it with knowledge and empathy and build inclusive solution strategies. 'Islamic teachings and other religions clearly outline the boundaries that need to be maintained, but at the same time emphasise wisdom, compassion and guidance in dealing with people who are struggling with identity confusion or social pressure,' he said.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Jeffrey, Yong tell of systemic challenges against change
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Yong and Jeffrey. Kota Kinabalu: The final townhall hosted by Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (Sabar) saw rival political parties sitting together and actually agreeing on something, that it is time to listen to what Sabahans really want. Among those present were Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) President cum Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. He delivered perhaps the most stirring call for political unity, reflecting on his own experience of being arrested for advocating similar causes in the past. 'We are lucky that we have a body like Sabar. In those days when I started, when I tried to do this, I got arrested. So you are lucky, the situation has changed,' he said, congratulating the civil society organisation for creating space for citizen engagement. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Cops have the right to check Mykads
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: ACP Kasim pointed out that police are there to help and protect people during rallies, not stop them. 'Under the Peaceful Assembly Act, we need to protect them. Kota Kinabalu: Police defended checking people's identity cards (Mykads) during the last weekend's Suara Mahasiswa Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally, saying they were just doing their job. A video clip showing police asking for ICs during the peaceful assembly went viral on social media, with some netizens questioning whether officers had the right to do so. Kota Kinabalu Police chief ACP Kasim Muda said the checks were perfectly legal and necessary. 'That is the police's right. Police can check ICs. There is no problem. Under the law, the Police Act states we can check. Anyone we suspect, we can check,' he said. He said that only Malaysian citizens can take part in peaceful assemblies, so police need to verify people's identity to make sure they qualify. He was apparently referring to a similar rally over the water shortage in UMS last year where several of the protesters had no identification documents. Additionally, he said police are still investigating what happened during the rally. 'We are not taking no action. We are taking monitoring action. We are conducting investigations,' he said. He said the rally organisers were given 15 conditions they had to follow when they notified authorities about the assembly. 'We provided 15 conditions that we established according to the laws that exist in Malaysia,' said Kasim. These rules came from various laws including the Sedition Act, Peaceful Assembly Act, Police Act and Road Transport Act. Under Malaysian law, people wanting to hold a peaceful assembly must give police seven days' notice. Police then have three days to respond with any conditions. He pointed out that police are there to help and protect people during rallies, not stop them. 'Under the Peaceful Assembly Act, we need to protect them. Facilitate and protect, provide protection for them so that they are safe and the public is not affected,' he said. However, he noted that some rules were broken during this particular assembly. 'We have already given the conditions. What violations that might happen. Do not violate these, but they still did it anyway,' he said. On the second day of the rally, the protestors set fire to an image of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Lintasan Deasoka at Jalan Gaya. He said police told the rally organisers they could not touch on sensitive topics about race, religion and royalty (3R issues), target political leaders, break traffic rules or bring dangerous items. 'You bring petrol that is already an offence. Even if you do not pour the petrol into oil or anything, if you bring it without permission, it is definitely an offence. It is just that people do not understand this,' he said. It also emerged that in the statement issued to the media the day before the incident, the students had included the Sabah TYT position as one of their grievances. It was not known if this was made known to the police. A day before the rally, police had issued a media statement warning the public about potential violations during the assembly. The statement listed 12 offences that could be committed during peaceful assemblies, with penalties ranging from fines to life imprisonment for the most serious charges. Among the offenses highlighted were sedition (3-7 years jail), defamation (up to 2 years jail or fine), obstructing police duties (up to 2 years jail or RM10,000 fine), and bringing dangerous weapons (5-10 years jail with possible caning). The police statement also warned that non-citizens who participate in assemblies could face fines up to RM20, 000, while involving minors in rallies could result in RM10, 000 fines. Police said they do not prevent any party from speaking out or gathering peacefully, as long as it is done legally, orderly and in compliance with the applicable laws. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Police probing nine offences
Published on: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 24, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Jauteh said the students could have chosen alternative methods to voice their concerns. - Pic by Rahim Matnin | Daily Express. Kota Kinabalu: Organisers of the Perhimpunan Aman Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 did not require any police permit but must abide by the stipulated conditions of the rally, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun. The rally, organised by Suara Mahasiswa Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) over the weekend, resulted in police reports and investigations after the organisers failed to comply with the conditions. 'We received six reports related to incidents during the rally. 'Three investigation papers have been opened involving nine offences, including sedition, burning materials in public places, bringing dangerous materials like fuel to the rally and issues related to race, religion and royalty (3R),' Jauteh told a media conference at the State Police Contingent Headquarters, Monday. He said police have begun calling individuals to provide statements as part of their investigation. 'There is no approval but rather feedback from police on the notification made by the organisers,' he said, pointing out the legal framework governing peaceful assemblies while addressing misconceptions about police approval. Advertisement He said under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, organisers must notify police at least 10 days before holding any assembly, providing details including the applicant's name, route to be taken and purpose of the assembly. 'The law does not require a permit or licence. The notification is simply to inform authorities, not seek permission. Police have five days to respond with feedback,' he said. 'In the case of Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0, the police took the initiative to issue feedback regarding the notification. The purpose of issuing the feedback is to inform the organisers to comply with the conditions or restrictions,' he added. He said the Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief had set 15 conditions for the organisers to comply with. However, police investigations found that the organisers failed to meet the conditions. Asked about potential charges, he said investigations would proceed under various laws, including the Penal Code and Sedition Act. Addressing claims that the students had received special approval from police, Jauteh said: 'I think the students did not convey the truth. They said they received extraordinary approval from the police. 'Even though lawyers were present with the students, they should have understood what the police had actually provided under the Peaceful Assembly Act, which was feedback with conditions, not approval.' Asked about a counter-rally group that also gathered, Jauteh said they were also under investigation. 'We have not said they violated the law. But we are investigating police reports,' he said. Jauteh said the students could have chosen alternative methods to voice their concerns. 'If they want to express grievances, they could have prepared letters and meet in groups with relevant parties to state their intentions and call reporters to convey what they want to convey,' he said. The rally coincided with the Head of State's Birthday Ceremony, though Jauteh noted that under Section 4 of the Peaceful Assembly Act, any Malaysian citizen above 15 years old can participate in assemblies. 'Let the public know. There is no approval. No permit in this matter. There is no such thing as approval,' he said, reiterating that police response was merely feedback on the notification along with conditions for public order and safety. For the record, the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 removed the previous requirement for police permits that existed under Section 27 of the Police Act 1967. Under current law, no permit or licence is required to hold a peaceful assembly. The notification system is designed to facilitate the right to peaceful assembly rather than restrict it. Police cannot outright ban or reject an assembly notification. They can only impose reasonable restrictions on time, place and manner for security and public order purposes. Even failure to notify police, while potentially incurring a fine of up to RM10,000, does not make an assembly illegal or unlawful. The Act emphasises that peaceful assemblies cannot be deemed illegal merely due to lack of permits or notices, reflecting a constitutional shift towards protecting citizens' right to peaceful assembly. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Rally organisers broke conditions despite no permit requirement: Police
Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Jauteh during a press conference on Monday. - Pic by Rahim Matnin | Daily Express KOTA KINABALU: The organisers of the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally did not require a police permit but failed to comply with 15 conditions set by police under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun. The student-led rally over the weekend drew six police reports, with three investigation papers opened involving nine offences including sedition and public endangerment. Jauteh clarified that police had only issued feedback - not approval -following the organisers' notification, as required under the law, and reiterated that no permit system is in place. Police investigations are ongoing, with statements being recorded and both rally organisers and a counter-group being probed for potential legal breaches. Jauteh advised students to consider alternative avenues to express concerns and emphasised that peaceful assemblies remain a constitutional right, even if organisers fail to notify police. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
