KOTA KINABALU: Authorities have refused to permit the ‘Gempur Rasuah Sabah’ assembly, which was set to take place in front of Menara Kinabalu, citing concerns over maintaining public order and safety in the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun stated that the decision to reject the assembly stemmed from a scheduling conflict with the Carnival Ria programme, an event sanctioned by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and expected to draw a diverse crowd, including families with children and the elderly. The police expressed concerns that overlapping events could lead to an unsafe environment for attendees.

The commissioner emphasized that the assembly did not meet the necessary conditions to be held at the proposed location. The decision aims to preserve peace and safety for those attending the Carnival Ria. He urged the organizers of the assembly to reconsider their plans for the sake of community well-being and advised the public to avoid participating in the protest.

The secretariat behind the assembly had announced that they anticipated up to 10,000 participants from across the nation to join the protest, aimed at addressing alleged corruption issues affecting the state’s reputation. However, Jauteh suggested that the group seek alternative, non-disruptive channels to express their concerns.

Inquiries regarding the involvement of students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in the protest were addressed with a denial from the UMS Student Representative Council (MPP). UMS issued a statement clarifying that no university entities, including faculties and staff, were involved in the planned gathering. The university reiterated its commitment to fostering discussions on current issues through factual, rational, and ethical dialogue platforms.