Sabah Students Face Police Investigation After Burning PM Anwar's Caricature

KOTA KINABALU, Sabah — A group of students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is currently under police investigation following an anti-corruption rally where they burned a caricature of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The incident occurred on June 22, 2025, during a protest dubbed 'Gempur Rasuah 2.0' aimed at addressing issues of corruption and governance in Malaysia. Sabah police chief Jauteh Dikun confirmed that at least six police reports had been filed, prompting an inquiry under the Penal Code and the Sedition Act of 1948.

According to Jauteh, the students reportedly violated conditions set forth under the Peaceful Assembly Act when they set fire to the caricature in a public space. 'We have opened three investigation papers based on the reports received, identifying around nine offences, including incitement and possession of flammable materials,' Jauteh stated during a press conference.

The rally, which began at the Suria Sabah shopping centre, drew approximately 100 participants who demanded accountability from government officials and solutions to ongoing issues such as water shortages affecting the university. Despite the protest's overall peaceful nature, the burning of the caricature sparked condemnation from various political figures including Kamil Munim, the youth chief of Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), who labeled the act as 'extreme and disrespectful.' Munim emphasized that such actions detract from the meaningful dialogue necessary for addressing the issues at hand.

In response to the incident, UMS Vice-Chancellor Kasim Mansor announced that 13 students involved in the protest may face disciplinary actions, including suspension or expulsion, under the Universities and University Colleges Act (Amended) 2012. 'A disciplinary committee will be established to investigate the matter thoroughly,' Kasim remarked.

However, some student activists defended their actions, arguing that they were merely following the precedent set by Anwar himself during his student days in the 1970s. Fadhil Kasim, a final-year student and one of the protesters, recalled Anwar's own controversial protests, stating, 'Anwar once led similar demonstrations, burning materials he deemed objectionable. This is the essence of activism.' Fadhil criticized those who condemned their actions, claiming they were focusing on the method rather than the message of anti-corruption.

The event has ignited a broader discussion on the limits of protest in Malaysia, particularly among the youth. As the government grapples with rising calls for transparency and accountability, the implications of such protests on the political landscape remain uncertain. The ongoing investigation could set a precedent for future student activism in the country, as issues of governance and corruption continue to dominate public discourse.

As the situation evolves, stakeholders from various sectors, including political leaders and academic authorities, will be closely monitoring the outcomes of this investigation and its impact on civic engagement among Malaysian youth. The intersection of activism, governance, and legal frameworks will likely shape the future of public protests in Malaysia, particularly in the context of rising youth involvement in political discourse.