Attorney-General’s Chambers Decides Not to Prosecute Organisers of Two Sabah Rallies
No Reason Given for Decision
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has decided not to prosecute the organisers of two rallies in Sabah, but did not provide any reason for its decision. The two rallies, "Gempur Rasuah Sabah" and "Himpunan Bangkit Sabahan", were held on December 31 last year in Kota Kinabalu.
Background of the Rallies
"Gempur Rasuah Sabah" was an anti-graft rally organised by a student activist from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, while "Himpunan Bangkit Sabahan" was a counter-rally in support of Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. The rallies were previously reported to have been attended by a small number of people, with "Gempur Rasuah Sabah" attracting only 50 participants.
Previous Threat of Charges
Fadhil Kasim, the president of Suara Mahasiswa UMS, was previously reported to be likely to face charges under the Peaceful Assembly Act and the Penal Code for failing to notify the authorities of the "Gempur Rasuah Sabah" rally and insulting a person’s modesty, respectively. However, the AGC’s decision not to prosecute has brought an end to these potential charges.
Prime Minister’s Announcement
Last week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that probes against student-led protests would be halted and that rally organisers would no longer need permission from venue owners. However, he emphasized that those planning to hold rallies must still inform the police as per the public assembly law.
Consequences of Low Turnout
The "Gempur Rasuah Sabah" gathering saw a low turnout, with Fadhil later blaming police warnings and agent provocateurs for the small number of attendees. The low turnout may have been a factor in the AGC’s decision not to prosecute the organisers.
Conclusion
The AGC’s decision not to prosecute the organisers of the two Sabah rallies marks a significant development in the country’s efforts to promote freedom of assembly and speech. While the decision may be seen as a positive step, it is important to note that the AGC did not provide any reason for its decision, leaving many questions unanswered.
FAQs
- What were the two rallies that were held in Sabah?
"Gempur Rasuah Sabah" and "Himpunan Bangkit Sabahan" were the two rallies that were held on December 31 last year in Kota Kinabalu. - Who was the president of Suara Mahasiswa UMS?
Fadhil Kasim was the president of Suara Mahasiswa UMS. - What were the potential charges against Fadhil Kasim?
Fadhil Kasim was reported to be likely to face charges under the Peaceful Assembly Act and the Penal Code for failing to notify the authorities of the "Gempur Rasuah Sabah" rally and insulting a person’s modesty, respectively. - What was the outcome of the AGC’s review of the cases?
The AGC decided not to prosecute the organisers of the two rallies, but did not provide any reason for its decision.