Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) not to obstruct the academic progress of students involved in a recent anti-corruption rally. The rally featured the burning of a caricature resembling the Prime Minister.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, during the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) daily briefing, Senior Press Secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah emphasized that the students’ actions at the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally should be seen as an expression of youth voices addressing integrity and corruption issues. The act of burning the caricature was presented as a symbol of reform, and the Prime Minister, a former student activist, supports freedom of expression.

Tunku Nashrul highlighted the Prime Minister’s understanding of the significance of criticism in a democratic society, noting his own history in the student movement and reformist demonstrations. The rally, organized by the Suara Mahasiswa UMS group, involved participants marching through Kota Kinabalu city with placards addressing issues like corruption and water supply in Sabah.

During the rally, a caricature of Anwar Ibrahim was burned, a gesture underscoring the demand for change. The Prime Minister stressed that such change starts with young people speaking truthfully, while the government remains committed to reforms through actionable steps.

Tunku Nashrul reiterated that the MADANI government is dedicated to maintaining its reform agenda, ensuring that anti-corruption efforts benefit all Malaysians’ well-being and prosperity.