KOTA KINABALU: The planned #KamiMahuAir (#WeWantWater) rally by a group of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students is a peaceful protest over Sabahans’ frustrations and should be allowed to go on, says Wira Warisan.
The state opposition party’s youth wing said it supported any effort by the people to speak up for their rights.
“We are monitoring the planned action and consider it a manifestation of the student’s concern and frustration over long-standing water issues faced by Sabahans.
“They, too, have the right to assemble and speak,” Wira Warisan information chief Mohd Norizhuan Awang said in a statement on Friday (June 7).
He added that the rally, scheduled to take place in front of Menara Kinabalu here next Friday (June 14), is not politically motivated.
“Wira Warisan always stands firmly with the oppressed people of Sabah, while continuing to uphold the law.
“Under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, assembly organisers only need to notify the authorities, and I believe these students are aware of this.
“(We) understand that notifications have been submitted to the relevant authority,” he said, urging the government to celebrate and not hinder expressions of democratic rights.
“We also advise the rally organisers and participants to adhere to the law, avoid extreme provocation, and refrain from any violent actions.
“Democracy must be upheld with conscience, so do not tarnish it with any form of violence,” he said.