UMS Student Protest ‘Inappropriate and Disrespectful’

23 June 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The actions of a group of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students who organised the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 Peaceful Assembly, held in the state capital on 21 and 22 June 2025, have been deemed inappropriate and unacceptable.

Beaufort GRS Youth Chief, Mohd. Shahril Osin, strongly condemned the demonstration, which was led by Fadhil Kasim and several others under the Suara Mahasiswa UMS movement.

He stated that the protest not only defied Sabah’s cultural norms of courtesy but also displayed an alarming degree of disrespect.

“What was even more appalling was the provocative act of burning a caricature resembling the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“This was not only deeply disrespectful but also a blatant insult to the nation’s leader. It clearly demonstrated the organisers’ failure to express their views in a civil and constructive manner,” he said in a statement today.

Shahril, who also serves as the Youth Chief of the Sabah People's Aspiration Party (Gagasan Rakyat) for the Klias Division, said the actions had tarnished UMS’s reputation and called for firm action from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the university administration, and the Ministry of Higher Education.

“Burning a representation of the Prime Minister under the guise of an anti-corruption rally is wholly unacceptable and must not go unpunished,” he asserted.

He further criticised the involvement of opposition leaders, accusing them of exploiting the demonstration for political gain and manipulating students for their own benefit ahead of the 17th State Election (PRN).

“The spread of extreme political culture into Sabah is becoming increasingly concerning. Acts of arson, provocation and disorder are alien to Sabah’s identity, which is rooted in politeness, mutual respect, and moderation.

“In fact, the behaviour of certain students, many of whom are not even native to this state – clearly fosters division, disrupts harmony, and damages UMS’s good name,” he said.

Shahril added that the presence of opposition figures, including those from Warisan, at the heart of the protest revealed a pattern of desperate and unethical political manoeuvring.

“It’s clear there is a hidden political agenda behind this event. This is no longer a genuine expression of student voice, but one tainted by narrow opposition interests.

“Warisan leaders should be setting an example, not inciting unrest in the state capital,” he said.

He urged the UMS administration to take decisive action against any students found to have participated, in order to prevent the university from being used as a platform for external political agendas.

“UMS is a centre for knowledge and excellence – not a political arena. The university’s management must act swiftly to ensure this incident does not set a precedent for other groups seeking to use student gatherings as a vehicle for provocation,” he said.

He also called upon students to return to the principles of intellectual discourse, and to champion causes through knowledge and rational debate – rather than through emotional outbursts or street-level agitation.

“Students should be the voice of reason, grounded in learning and wisdom not resorting to rudeness or extreme actions. Show respect for the land you stand upon. Sabah is a state of customs and values, not a laboratory for cheap political experimentation,” he added.

Shahril stressed that the people of Sabah have clearly rejected all forms of hateful and provocative politics, particularly when such actions are directed at academic institutions, which should serve as unifying spaces for youth from all backgrounds.

“We do not want our peaceful Sabah to be marred by external forces seeking to incite chaos. Students must never become pawns for dishonourable political agendas,” he said.

The Beaufort GRS Youth wing also expressed full support for the security forces and university authorities in investigating and taking appropriate action against any students or external parties found to be instigating unrest or violating national laws.

Shahril concluded by encouraging local students to remain agents of positive change, guided by knowledge, respect, and wisdom – and not to fall prey to opportunistic political exploitation.