KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has been told to arrange for a representative from the Sabah Water Department to brief students about the water supply situation, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
It is understood that a rally campaign named #KamiMahuAir Sabah, initiated by SuaraMahasiswa, will still be held at Menara Kinabalu on June 14 despite warnings and explanations from UMS, the Sabah Public Works Ministry, and Mustapha himself.
"I have asked the UMS Student Affairs administration to call undergraduates, leaders, and residents involved in the movement to attend a special briefing," he said to reporters after inspecting the completed tube wells at UMS. .
"I would like to advise students to differentiate whether the issue is related to the campus or outside the campus. They need to act rationally and accordingly.
"I am not saying they should be denied their rights to stage the protest. In fact, they should obtain a police permit, follow the proper channels, and abide by the law," said the Sepanggar member of parliament, adding that their actions as UMS students could tarnish the university's image despite UMS's efforts to resolve the issue.
Movement secretariat spokesperson Aliff Danial, who was present during the event, said they would attend the briefing, but the protest would still go ahead.
"We have submitted the notice to the police on Thursday and are awaiting the permit to be issued. But even if no permit is issued, we will still proceed as it will be a peaceful gathering.
"We are well aware of possible actions against us, but we will risk it as it is about basic human rights not only for us but also for the people of Sabah," said the 24-year-old psychology student from Kuala Lumpur.
He added that the protest participants would move from UMS at 1.30pm to Menara Kinabalu.
The event, which is expected to last until 4pm, will feature a speakers' corner and later the handing over of a memorandum to representatives of the Sabah government.
"We have no idea how many people will come, but even if there are just five of us, we will still go ahead," he said.