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Students burn banner of M’sia PM Anwar during rally, university makes police report
The university said it was not involved in the incident.
June 23, 2025, 05:33 PM
A Malaysian university has condemned the burning of a caricature of Malaysia prime minister Anwar Ibrahim at a rally on Jun. 22, calling it "uncivilised and immature".
The Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) stressed that it was not involved, either directly or indirectly, in the incident.
It has further lodged a police report.
"This goes against the norms of a peaceful assembly," UMS said, adding that the act "does not reflect the intellectual calibre expected of students at institutions of higher education".
The rally
The anti-corruption rally began on Jun. 21 and continued till around 11am on Jun. 22, reported Malaysiakini.
Over a hundred students and supporters gathered to voice their demands, insisting that Anwar push ahead with previously promised reforms.
They also protested against corruption, a purportedly unfair administration, and the government's supposed failure to deliver basic infrastructure and necessities such as water, according to The Star.
But on the second day of the rally, a student activist group unveiled a banner bearing an illustrated caricature of Anwar, then set fire to it.
Gif from Arnold Thomas/Facebook
It was meant to send a strong message to leaders, and the participants cleaned up afterwards, The Star reported.
Online critics called it a safety risk and said it was not a peaceful demonstration.
Kamil Munim, chief of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth and Anwar's aide at the Finance Ministry, further criticised it a "hollow act" intended to "steal public attention".
"OK, you have succeeded in getting attention, we can move past this. Now show yourselves and make smart arguments," he said according to The Star.
Top image from Suara Mahasiswa UMS/Facebook
