TAWAU – An activist detained by police for involvement in a protest in Kg Muhibbahraya here said he does not regret his decision to call the peaceful demonstration, as his intention of helping residents is genuine.
Mukmin Nantang, founder of the Borneo Komrad activist group and one of seven people arrested over the protest last Saturday, said despite him being remanded for two days and facing punishment under the law, it is all worth it.
“It’s worth it. I think the incident has started a ‘fire’. It has started the fight in the people of Tawau.
“People here are braver about speaking out, and we are getting the government’s attention,” he said in a Facebook Live video.
Mukmin and four of the others were hauled up after they started the demonstration to voice out villagers’ financial and other challenges following the extension of the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in the area until May 8.
Speaking up for villagers
“I agree with the measures taken by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19,” said Mukmin.
“However, the order must also come with an economic plan to address the welfare of the people. Maybe, they could give an assurance like waiving electricity bills, or consider a moratorium before imposing the order, which prevents people from leaving the village.
“We want the higher-ups to know the difficulties that the people on the ground are facing. We couldn’t just keep quiet and let them think the rakyat are doing fine with all the MCOs imposed. They are not fine!
“Demonstrations are an important element of democracy.
“The law is created to protect the well-being of the people. But when the law itself is making the people suffer, it is the government’s responsibility to look into the law and ensure the well-being of the people is protected.”
He said protests may be the only way for villagers to express themselves, since the decision-makers cannot be reached directly.
“Imagine villagers losing their source of income for weeks. Where can they go?”
Tawau folk have felt oppressed for months, he said, but the demonstration in Kg Muhibbahraya was the first time people gathered to show their dissatisfaction.
Demonstration day
Speaking about what happened on the day of the protest, Mukmin said residents first gathered in the village, but were then stopped by security personnel at the gate.
“After we found out that the villagers were stopped, my group, and several runners and activists came together to help the villagers voice out their concerns.
“We practised social distancing, and we told police that we needed only a few minutes to tell them why we were there.
“But before we could even speak, police started pulling us to the side and asking for our MyKad. We obeyed the officers, who were shouting at us.
“After a few minutes, we were asked to get inside a van. When I asked police if I was being detained, and if so, under what section (of the law), they kept quiet.
“We were taken to a police station. But before we got there, an officer physically abused me in the van.
“I have lodged a police report on this. I was told that the individual is being investigated.”
He continued: “At the police station, we were asked to sit on the floor, even though there were plenty of empty chairs.
“We were there from 4pm to 10.30pm. No one told us what we were there for.
“At 11pm, we met the investigating officer and her team. They were kind and helpful, and we wish all police in Tawau are more like them.”
Mukmin stressed that the protest was not politically driven.
He thanked his friends in politics for their help getting him a lawyer and issuing statements, but asked politicians to refrain from linking their parties to the demonstration.
The demonstration would have been for nothing if people assume we are related to politics. Our movement is 100% the rakyat’s fight and voice, not that of any political party.”
After Mukmin’s arrest, several political figures, including Muda secretary-general Amir Abdul Hadi and Terengganu Wanita PKR Youth chief Yuslaini Azmi, issued statements criticising the government over the group’s detention.
Those arrested, dubbed the “Tawau 7”, have been released, but are still being investigated under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, Section 188 of the Penal Code for “disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant”, and Section 25 of the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) Ordinance 2021, which provides for a fine of up to RM10,000.
Mukmin thanked members of the public for their support and donations, which paid for the seven individuals’ legal fees and bail.
Yesterday, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said residents of three Tawau villages will be allowed out to buy necessities and go to work despite the EMCO.
“However, they still need to register at police checkpoints, going in and out. We are giving them some leeway and allowing them to exit their areas. They can go out. But we will not allow outsiders to come in, except for emergency cases,” he told reporters in Kota Kinabalu.
He said this will help defuse the tense situation in Tawau arising from targeted lockdowns that many have said make it hard for them to get food and earn a living.
Hazani said the seven people arrested over the Kg Muhibbahraya protest are not from the village.
“The ones who organised the peaceful demonstration are not from there. They are outsiders. I believe police took the right action. We already advised them to disperse, but they refused to listen.”
He said the seven will likely be compounded for violating health standard operating procedures.
He said he has yet to receive an official report from Mukmin, who claimed to have been beaten by police.
“I am still waiting for the police report. We will investigate once an official report is in.
“I am not on anyone’s side on this matter. If my officer indeed hit the activist, come forward and report it. We will investigate.” – The Vibes, May 1, 2021
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