Gempur Rasuah Sabah Rally: Low Turnout Due to Police Warnings and Agent Provocateurs

Rally Coordinator Blames Police Warnings

The Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally, held in front of Menara Kinabalu in Petaling Jaya, attracted a significantly low turnout of around 50 people. However, rally coordinator Fadhil Kasim maintained that the event was not a failure, as participants remained resolute in their quest for change.

Lack of Transparency from the Authorities

Fadhil attributed the low turnout to police warnings and agent provocateurs. “People were afraid of attending the rally as the state police commissioner had deemed the gathering illegal,” he said. He emphasized that this was unconstitutional, as the rally organizers were merely required to inform the police of their peaceful assembly.

Rumors of Riot Police Deployment

Furthermore, Fadhil revealed that rumors spread that riot police would be deployed by the hundreds, which further intimidated potential attendees from participating. These rumors were baseless, and the actual police presence was relatively minimal.

Expectations of 10,000 Participants

Contrary to the actual turnout, the rally organizers had expected around 10,000 people to attend from across the country, protesting against what they claimed was a corruption crisis in Sabah.

Ongoing Program and Livestreaming

Despite the low turnout, the rally’s program continued as planned, with livestreaming on TikTok scheduled until 1am.

Himpunan Bangkit Sabahan: A Separate Rally

It’s worth noting that another rally, Himpunan Bangkit Sabahan, was held at the same location. The event drew around 200 participants, who marched from Universiti Malaysia Sabah to Menara Kinabalu before dispersing about an hour later.

Karnival Ria: A Coincidental Event

Both rallies coincidentally took place in front of Menara Kinabalu, where the state government’s Karnival Ria event was also held.

Conclusion

The Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally, although marred by a low turnout, served as a testament to the determination of its participants. Despite the obstacles and intimidation, the rally coordinator and attendees remained committed to their cause, underscoring the importance of freedom of assembly in a democratic society.

FAQs

Q: Why did the Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally attract a low turnout?
A: The rally coordinator attributed the low turnout to police warnings and agent provocateurs.

Q: What was the expected turnout for the Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally?
A: The rally organizers expected around 10,000 participants.

Q: How many people attended the Himpunan Bangkit Sabahan rally?
A: Approximately 200 participants attended the rally.