Suaram affirms its unwavering support for the Universiti Malaysia Sabah students and the Sabah people in exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly – a cornerstone of democracy and a vital tool for fostering accountability.
We stand in solidarity with the UMS students, recognising their courage in confronting pressing corruption issues and exercising their democratic rights.
Recent remarks by politicians delegitimising peaceful assemblies reflect a blatant disregard for the constitutional right to peaceful assembly enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. Peaceful assemblies were portrayed as threats to “security” and sources of “tensions” and “provocations”, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that frame them as inherently disruptive and creating undue justification for restrictions.
Similarly, characterising assemblies as “not part of Malaysian norms” and invoking the “proper channels” rhetoric undermines protests as a legitimate democratic tool for addressing grievances. There was also the paternalistic claim that students should “focus on their studies” rather than engage in politics, which marginalises youth voices and discourages their participation in civic spaces.
Suaram will be present at the rallies to monitor and support the UMS students in exercising their constitutional rights.
We reiterate our call to all stakeholders, including politicians and law enforcement, to respect and facilitate the right to peaceful assembly enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution and the Peaceful Assembly Act. – Suaram
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
