KOTA KINABALU: A 23-year-old university student was called in by police to give a statement as part of a sedition investigation regarding remarks against Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman during “Justice for Zara” solidarity rally in Tawau.
According to the Suara Mahasiswa group, the student was picked up from her house and taken to the Tawau police headquarters to record a statement in connection with the investigation at about 1 pm on Tuesday (Sept 2).
They said they have not yet received any further details.
Earlier, Tawau OCPD Asst Comm Jasmin Hussin said so far no arrests have been made, but they had begun recording statements from witnesses.
“We have four investigation papers opened under the Sedition Act 1948, Penal Code sections on criminal intimidation and public alarm, and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” he said.
He said a total of 14 police reports were lodged across Sabah, including six in Tawau, in connection with the seditious allegations made at the solidarity gathering held at the Tawau council grounds.
Meanwhile, the Suara Mahasiswa group also raised concern over Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)’s integrity division summoning students for participating in the recent Zara solidarity rally in Tawau.
In a statement, the group stated that Article 10 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the rights of students to speak, assemble, and associate.
“Using the Integrity Division to investigate students is a repressive, unethical act, and violates the spirit of democracy.
“If the voices of students are also to be silenced, then it is clear that the integrity of this university is just a mask of hypocrisy.
They described the action of the Integrity Division as going beyond its original scope to combat corruption, abuse of power, and malpractice in the organisation.
“It was also to ensure compliance with the law, code of conduct and work ethics while building the confidence of university residents in administrative transparency,” the group said.
However, they stated they hoped the integrity division would investigate issues faced by students, especially regarding facilities like dormitories that are dilapidated and neglected despite complaints.
“The Integrity Division must immediately stop all forms of intimidation and threats against students,” the group said in the statement.
