A group backing Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has vowed to hold an even larger counter-demonstration in response to Gempur Rasuah Sabah’s plans to hold a second anti-corruption demonstration.
Provided it is allowed by the police, Gerakan Bangkit Sabahan chief adviser Zulkarnain Mahdar claimed the counter-rally will be 20 to 30 times larger, and will be held at the same time and place as Gempur Rasuah Sabah’s protest.
“This rally will also be led by students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS),” he said in a statement today.
Earlier, Gerakan Bangkit Sabahan had announced plans to file a RM5 million lawsuit against the organisers and participants of the Gempur Rasuah Sabah rally on Dec 31.
The group had also held a counter-demonstration during the Dec 31 rally, drawing about 1,000 people compared to about 50 people at the Gempur Rasuah Sabah anti-corruption rally.
In response to the looming lawsuit, Gempur Rasuah Sabah - which is led by UMS students - told Malaysiakini yesterday they are unfazed and plan to hold a second demonstration to show they are determined to voice out against graft.
‘Why target Hajiji, Musa?’
Zulkarnain asserted that Gerakan Bangkit Sabahan is also against corruption, but questioned why Gempur Rasuah Sabah is only calling for Hajiji and Sabah Governor Musa Aman to resign even though they have never been convicted by any court in Malaysia.
The purpose of the counter-demonstration demonstration is merely to “bring awareness to the UMS students involved so they don’t hurl malicious slander against Hajiji and Musa”, he said.
He also noted that Warisan president Shafie Apdal was previously remanded to facilitate an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of at least RM1.5 billion in rural development funds intended for Sabah.
Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat president Peter Anthony is facing trial for forging documents, while Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin is in the dock over three corruption charges involving RM2.8 million.
“For that reason, we are of the view that UMS alumni and students are being used by certain quarters to create negative perceptions towards the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Pakatan Harapan government in Sabah,” Zulkarnain said.
If the students were to include Shafie, Peter, and Bung in their list of demands, however. Zulkarnain said Gerakan Bangkit Sabahan is prepared to join forces with the students in their demonstration.
It should be noted that Shafie, Peter, and Bung do not hold any positions in the Sabah government, unlike Hajiji and Musa.
A tale of two leaders
Gempur Rasuah Sabah had demanded Hajiji’s resignation over corruption allegations involving him and several assemblypersons.
It also highlighted objections to Musa’s appointment, which had been widely criticised due to his past corruption allegations.
Hajiji had previously dismissed the incriminating videos in the scandal as “edited” and said the allegations were unfounded, though he later suggested that the recorded conversations may have been about political donations.
Musa was charged in 2018 over RM263 million in alleged bribes but was acquitted after the prosecution dropped the charges before the case went to trial. - Nkini
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