The two-day Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally, organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students, ended on a controversial note after protesters burned a large placard at Lintasan Deasoka near Gaya Street on June 21 (Saturday).
PKR Youth Chief Kamil Munim strongly condemned the rally participants for setting fire to a cartoon depiction of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, calling the act disrespectful and unacceptable.
“It was a move to get public attention”
Kamil described the burning of Anwar’s cartoon effigy as an excessive and disrespectful act, highlighting it as a sign of the protesters’ inability to engage in meaningful discourse, according to China Press.
Kamil, who also serves as Anwar’s political secretary at the Ministry of Finance, acknowledged that the actions of the rally participants failed to convey their message effectively. Instead, he said it came across as a bold yet hollow stunt meant solely to grab public attention.
“The act was not only disrespectful and over the line, but it also can’t be considered a peaceful protest. It risked both their own safety and that of the public, and did nothing to help people understand their cause. More importantly, it revealed their failure to communicate through proper discourse,” he said.
“I don’t support the burning of anyone’s effigy”
Kamil also stressed that he opposed such acts regardless of who the target was.
“Sure, you’ve managed to attract attention, but now it’s time to step forward with thoughtful, constructive arguments. I don’t support the burning of anyone’s effigy, and I’m personally against it,” he said.
At the end of the rally, student protesters burned a cartoon portrait of Anwar as a symbolic protest against what they saw as his lack of seriousness in addressing the Sabah corruption case.
In response, the rally’s spokesperson claimed the act reflected the people’s growing frustration with Anwar’s handling of the issue.
Kamil Munim
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