'Undocumented' students released after eight days in police lock-up
Eight undocumented students who were arrested at a protest outside the Sabah Chief Minister’s Office last week have been released on police bail today after spending eight days in a police lock-up.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Sabah Bersih coordinator Asraf Sharafi said the students were released from the Kepayan police station in Kota Kinabalu at about 7pm.
Asraf expressed immense relief...
Eight undocumented students who were arrested at a protest outside the Sabah Chief Minister’s Office last week have been released on police bail today after spending eight days in a police lock-up.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Sabah Bersih coordinator Asraf Sharafi said the students were released from the Kepayan police station in Kota Kinabalu at about 7pm.
Asraf expressed immense relief over the release of the eight students - three are minors aged between 15 and 17.
“Even in the lock-up, they still asked for books and stationery to read and write.
“I’m sure these students are eager to fight for their right to receive education to change the stigma and negative perception towards their community,” Asraf said.
On June 14, a teacher named Syahfeeq Rondin and the eight students from Sekolah Alternatif - a school for stateless children - were arrested during the #KamiMahuAirSabah rally.
Syahfeeq and the students were part of a larger road tour organised by Borneo Komrad towards forming “Universiti Alternatif” and “Stateless Union” - both envisioned as platforms to empower the local stateless community.
Kota Kinabalu district police chief Kasim Muda confirmed the arrest of “nine undocumented individuals” later that night and said the rally participants and organiser would be investigated under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
Bajau Laut woes
Sabah-based NGO Borneo Komrad founder Mukmin Nantang confirmed that the detained students were of Bajau Laut descent.
In an update on Instagram on June 19, Borneo Komrad posted that Syahfeeq was released on police bail after being remanded for four days.
Mukmin had also recently alleged that an eviction operation was carried out against the Bajau Laut community living on seven islands in Semporna - Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Sebangkat, and Pulau Sibuan.
Activists had also piled on the pressure for the government to halt further attempts to oppress the Bajau Laut community, warning that they’ll take to the streets if it continues.
