Latest news with #UniversityMalaysiaSabah
Daily Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
PM urges UMS to show compassion in disciplining protest students
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Zambry also said any actions taking place outside the university campus fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities. Kota Kinabalu: Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to be compassionate when imposing disciplinary action on 13 UMS students involved in the Sunday's protest rally. He said the action must not be tantamount to expelling or suspending them. Minister of Higher Education Dato' Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the PM called him earlier to discuss the matter on Tuesday and expressed deep concern over the fate of the students involved in the rally as well as the students' future. 'Out of compassion, he wants the students to be allowed to continue and complete their tertiary their studies, and earn their degrees. That, after all, determines their future. 'This reflects PM's empathy and concern. Even though there are regulations and rules in place on campus, and even though he (PM) was the main target of the protest incident, he conveyed to me his hope that the university will not resort to expelling or suspending them,' Zambry said. He spoke after attending a dialogue with university and college students under 'Program in Person with Doc Zam' at Chancellory Hall, UMS, on Tuesday. Advertisement He was commenting on the fate of 13 UMS students in a two-day rally including burning a poster of PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the City Centre on Saturday and Sunday. They faced expulsion and suspension under University and Universities College Act (Amended) 2012. Zambry urged the UMS administration to take note of the Prime Minister's concerns and to consider a more compassionate approach in handling the situation. 'While we understand that disciplinary action may be necessary, it should not reach a point where these students' futures are completely shut down because of what they've done,' he said. Zambry also reaffirmed that while Malaysian citizens, including university students, have the constitutional right to assemble, that right is subject to existing laws and regulations. 'As we all know, the right to assemble is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. However, it must be exercised within the framework of current laws, including those related to public order and security,' he said. He also emphasized the importance of balancing the right to freedom of expression with respect for leadership and proper conduct. 'Everyone has the right to speak up, but it must be done with courtesy and decorum. Even if there are disagreements, the methods used must reflect good manners and proper procedures,' he said. Zambry also said any actions taking place outside the university campus fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities. 'Activities outside university grounds are subject to national laws and enforcement by the appropriate authorities, depending on the nature of the actions and existing legal provisions,' he said. On any measures taken by his Ministry to prevent such recurrence of the rally especially burning the poster of PM's caricature, Zambry said certain steps have already been taken, and they are consistently engaging with students. However, at the same time, he said this is not just an issue involving the students alone —there is also a need to monitor the surrounding influences that may be at play. 'We also need to monitor external influences that may have contributed to the situation. Any action taken must consider all factors, and not just a single aspect,' Zambry said. * 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
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
UMS students who burned image of Prime Minister at rally. Avoid expulsion, suspension: PM
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Zambry also said any actions taking place outside the university campus fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities. Kota Kinabalu: Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to be compassionate when imposing disciplinary action on 13 UMS students involved in the Sunday's protest rally. He said the action must not be tantamount to expelling or suspending them. Minister of Higher Education Dato' Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the PM called him earlier to discuss the matter on Tuesday and expressed deep concern over the fate of the students involved in the rally as well as the students' future. 'Out of compassion, he wants the students to be allowed to continue and complete their tertiary their studies, and earn their degrees. That, after all, determines their future. 'This reflects PM's empathy and concern. Even though there are regulations and rules in place on campus, and even though he (PM) was the main target of the protest incident, he conveyed to me his hope that the university will not resort to expelling or suspending them,' Zambry said. He spoke after attending a dialogue with university and college students under 'Program in Person with Doc Zam' at Chancellory Hall, UMS, on Tuesday. Advertisement He was commenting on the fate of 13 UMS students in a two-day rally including burning a poster of PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the City Centre on Saturday and Sunday. They faced expulsion and suspension under University and Universities College Act (Amended) 2012. Zambry urged the UMS administration to take note of the Prime Minister's concerns and to consider a more compassionate approach in handling the situation. 'While we understand that disciplinary action may be necessary, it should not reach a point where these students' futures are completely shut down because of what they've done,' he said. Zambry also reaffirmed that while Malaysian citizens, including university students, have the constitutional right to assemble, that right is subject to existing laws and regulations. 'As we all know, the right to assemble is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. However, it must be exercised within the framework of current laws, including those related to public order and security,' he said. He also emphasized the importance of balancing the right to freedom of expression with respect for leadership and proper conduct. 'Everyone has the right to speak up, but it must be done with courtesy and decorum. Even if there are disagreements, the methods used must reflect good manners and proper procedures,' he said. Zambry also said any actions taking place outside the university campus fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities. 'Activities outside university grounds are subject to national laws and enforcement by the appropriate authorities, depending on the nature of the actions and existing legal provisions,' he said. On any measures taken by his Ministry to prevent such recurrence of the rally especially burning the poster of PM's caricature, Zambry said certain steps have already been taken, and they are consistently engaging with students. However, at the same time, he said this is not just an issue involving the students alone —there is also a need to monitor the surrounding influences that may be at play. 'We also need to monitor external influences that may have contributed to the situation. Any action taken must consider all factors, and not just a single aspect,' Zambry said. * 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
Malay Mail
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
As police look on, student demonstraters take to KK streets to call for reform (VIDEO)
KOTA KINABALU, June 21 — The steady beating of drums and rousing chants calling for clean governance could be heard throughout Kota Kinabalu's central business district streets today, as a student-led anti-corruption demonstration walked the streets escorted by uniformed policemen. It's a rare sight for most as such protests, complete with megaphones, banners, placards and signs, are usually not allowed by authorities and limited to restricted areas. A group of some 100 or so people consisting mostly of students from University Malaysia Sabah and civic society gathered in front of the Suria Sabah shopping mall for the second edition of its Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally. Unlike the first time they had their rally where they marched from UMS to the state administrative building along a busy highway before they were stopped, the police presence this time was much more congenial, without the Light Strike Force unit or heavy arms — mostly helping keep public order on the busy roads. The police had approved their gathering on June 18 with the caveat they adhered to certain rules. Students and civil society groups accompanied by policemen took to the streets of Kota Kinabalu calling for clean and fair governance, transparency and a solution to their water shortage issue. — Picture by Julia Chan 'It's quite good to see this. It's a normal part of democracy and freedom of expression. It's good to see the police presence and actually helping them. No guns, no attacks, no abuse or disorderly conduct. 'I think it's good for the government to allow this to happen,' said Datuk Ahmad Abdul Rahman, Sabah's former State Assembly speaker who was passing by in the vicinity when he saw the commotion. Many motorists who passed by the group also honked their horns in solidarity with the group. Organised by student coalition Suara Mahasiswa, the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally participants carried signs denouncing corruption, calling for action against certain politicians and also demanding the authorities solve the water shortage issue which has been plaguing the university for months. The group left the mall entrance at around 2.30pm and walked towards the main market, when it started pouring. Stopping briefly to put on raincoats, they continued their march towards Centre Point shopping centre before ending up at Lintasan Deasoka near Gaya Street, where organisers have announced plans for a 24-hour sit-in. A passerby, former Sabah state assembly speaker Datuk Ahmad Abdul Rahman said such peaceful demonstrations was a sign of a healthy democracy. — Picture by Julia Chan A minor blip occurred when the group came across some people holding up a banner depicting an opposition political party. Some tension occurred between the two groups but was quickly dismissed with the help of police. Its leader Muhammad Fadhli Muhammad Kasim said that the students did not want to have any political connections. He also called for specific action from authorities, including investigations into alleged misconduct involving the Sabah Water Department (JANS) that had led to their water issue, a fully autonomous Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in the state, and investigation into the appointment of the state governor. Not one kilometre away, another smaller, less lively group calling themselves Gerakan Anak Muda dan Mahasiswa Anak Sabah (Gammas), held a demonstration lasting less than 30 minutes at Chong Tien Vun park. Claiming to be students of the university, their spokesperson Noridi @ Noraidi Maya insisted their gathering is not a counter-rally, but to express solidarity with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and 'defend the integrity of the government' after the many beneficial policies and provisions for students. Gammas's gathering did not obtain police approval but the gathering remained peaceful throughout. They dispersed shortly after reading out their mission statement to the media.
The Star
14-05-2025
- The Star
Labuan cops slam the brakes on illegal racing
Illegal racers: Police inspecting some of the motorcycles confiscated near UMSKAL in Labuan. — Bernama LABUAN: Police seized 21 motorcycles during a two-day integrated operation against illegal racing near University Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) on Sunday and Monday. Labuan police chief Supt Mohd Hamizi Halim said the operation was launched following public complaints about street gang activities involving dangerous stunts and loud modified exhaust pipes of bikes in front of UMSKAL. 'Led by ASP Rechi Anak John Chuhing, the operation involved 22 officers, including a special undercover unit. 'Surveillance and identification were first carried out by the undercover team before two simultaneous roadblocks were set up, one at Jalan Sungai Pagar near Petronas Carigali and the other in front of Sekolah Menegah Sains Labuan,' he said. He added that a Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) unit was also mobilised to disperse the crowd. 'Many motorcyclists fled in all directions upon detecting the presence of police, with several riders arrested at the scene and others escaping towards the beach after abandoning their motorcycles. 'There were various offences committed, such as riding without valid licences, expired road tax, missing registration plates, and illegal structural and exhaust modifications,' he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 64 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Borneo Post
10-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
UMS students launch campaign to aid Labuan's stray animals
LABUAN (May 10): A group of final year students from University Malaysia Sabah, Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) – International Corporate Finance has launched Paws of Hope, a donation driven campaign to address the growing issue of stray animals in Labuan. The initiative calls on the public, businesses and local organizations to support efforts to feed, treat and manage stray cats and dogs humanely. Paws of Hope is a SULAM project in collaboration with UMSKAL students, Labuan Department of Veterinary Services and charity group We Love Labuan Cats and Dogs (WLLCD). The crowdfunding campaign was officially launched on 5 May 2025 and ends on 3 June 2025. Stray animals in Labuan often suffer from disease, injury, and starvation due to limited shelter options. 'This isn't just an animal issue it's a community issue,' said the founder of WLLCD, who is backing the initiative. 'With collective compassion, we can make Labuan safer for animals and people alike.' The campaign focuses on spaying and neutering, basic vet care, emergency feeding, and promoting responsible pet ownership. Regular updates will ensure transparency in the use of donated funds. WLLCD was formed as an animal lovers group since a few years ago but officially registered as a non-profit organisation in February 2024, with the aim to improve the well-being of stray animals and reduce their suffering. This can be achieved through a combination of public awareness campaigns, education and continuous effort in spaying and neutering of stray animals. Community involvement is being strongly encouraged. The organizers are encouraging local community to not only donate but also volunteer and spread awareness. 'Even feeding a stray makes a difference,' the founder added, stating that their main challenge is a lack of funds to sustain the effort. Paws of Hope also plans to work with UMSKAL students to promote animal welfare education, encouraging a kinder more informed generation. Donations, sponsorships, volunteer efforts, or simply sharing the campaign online can all help. 'Just RM10 can feed a stray for a week,' organizers said. To support Paws of Hope, visit their social media pages or contact the team for more information. Instagram: _paws_of_hope._ FB: Pawsof Hope Tiktok: Pawsofhope25
