KOTA KINABALU: Demonstrations will not be allowed in front of the Menara Kinabalu building on Tuesday (Dec 31) due to a carnival there, says Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun.
Jauteh said he understands that two groups plan to hold rallies on the same day, with one intending to do so at Menara Kinabalu, where Karnival Ria is also held.
He said police do not allow this, and added that there is no approval for the rally to be held.
Jauteh then added that if these organisers insist on holding their rally there, police would ensure they do not encroach into the carnival area for safety reasons.
“During this carnival, there will be adults and children present. Therefore it is important that the safety and peace of these carnival-goers are protected,” Jauteh said at a press conference on Monday (Dec 30).
“Therefore, if there are anyone who intends to carry out rallies in the said venue, I advise them to cancel their intention,” he added.
He said those with messages to convey can do so via other platforms and not by holding rallies that would disrupt the carnival’s flow.
Jauteh said police have put measures in place to ensure that the carnival goes smoothly without incidents, and if the rally is held elsewhere without valid approval, it would be another issue to handle.
He said the groups planning rallies are Gempur Rasuah (anti-graft) and Bangkit Sabahan, said to oppose Gempur Rasuah.
“It does not seem that student bodies are truly behind these rallies, because Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) already denied that their student body is involved in orchestrating this move and forbade their students from taking part,” he said.
Bangkit Sabahan is expected to hold their demonstration at Anjung Selera in Likas, away from the carnival area.
On other matters, Jauteh said police have yet to locate graphic designer Fahmi Reza, who is needed to aid probes under the Sedition Act following over 30 police reports lodged against him.
He said police believe Fahmi is still in Sabah, and if he shows up at any rallies on Tuesday, police would need to detain him.
“If that happens, I hope there will not be any provocations from rally goers or his supporters because he is needed to assist investigations under the Sedition Act,” he said.
