Organisers expect 10,000 at anti-graft rally in Kota Kinabalu on Dec 31
Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia says it is to hold both Putrajaya and chief minister Hajiji Noor accountable for failing to deliver on their promised reforms.
PETALING JAYA:
About 10,000 people are expected to attend an anti-corruption rally in Kota Kinabalu on New Year’s Eve, organisers said.
Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia (Haram) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said the rally aims to hold both the federal government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor accountable for failing to deliver on their promises of reform.
“Recent controversial decisions, such as the appointment of Musa Aman as Sabah governor, and the discharge of several high-profile political figures in the peninsula accused of corruption have caused further public frustration,” Haram’s Sabah-based coordinator, Hamdin Nordin, said at a press conference here today.
Haram president Brendon Gan, a student representative from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said the rally reflects a nationwide call for accountability.
“This fight is not just about Sabah or students. It’s a collective effort to ensure Malaysia is free from the clutches of corruption. If not us, who else will step up?” Gan said.
The rally is expected to attract participants from five universities, including Universiti Malaya, UMS and Universiti Utara Malaysia, alongside NGOs and civil society groups.
Haram announced the official launch of Sekretariat Sucikan Malaysia, a special secretariat aimed at uniting students and civil society to fight corruption.
Its key initiatives include nationwide demonstrations, advocacy of transparency through asset declarations before state elections, and a push for stricter enforcement against corrupt officials.
It did not rule out taking protests to the streets if the government fails to act decisively.
The group also criticised the federal government for its systemic failure in addressing corruption, citing recent examples like the discharge of deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Rosmah Mansor, and controversies surrounding former prime minister Najib Razak’s pardon.
Haram secretary-general Adam Nor said the group will likely submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office on the issues.
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