THE student-led Sabah Combat Corruption Peaceful Rally will proceed today despite police rejecting their request to hold the event.
The rally secretariat argued that their right to assemble is guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
The rally was planned on December 31 at the state administrative complex, Menara Kinabalu, from 2 pm.
“The Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun appears naive in understanding the nation’s supreme law,” the group said in a statement, accusing him of misinterpreting the constitutional provision.
The group also pointed to a March statement by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, who said peaceful assemblies do not require police permits.
"The Sabah Police Commissioner's statement is unconstitutional. We advise him to verify facts thoroughly before making public remarks," the statement added.
The organisers have announced plans to file a police report and take legal action against Jauteh for "causing public confusion."
Earlier, Jauteh told reporters that the police rejected plans for two rallies at Menara Kinabalu, citing concerns over public safety and a potential clash at a carnival organised by Sabah’s Unit Pegawai Pembangunan Masyarakat (UPPM).
Jauteh said children and women would likely attend the carnival potentially exposing them to safety risks.
The Karnival Ria carnival, organised by UPPM, is set to run from 10 am to 6 pm at the same venue today.
The state government entity created to focus on the Sabah community development made known its carnival plans to the public on December 24.
The Sabah Combat Corruption Peaceful Rally, led by several Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students, aims to protest recent corruption allegations against Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), implicating Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The group announced their rally on December 21.
Meanwhile, another group, Himpunan Bangkit Sabahan, announced its counter-rally at the same location and time to defend Hajiji. – December 31, 2024
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