Stop Defending Corruption Students Tell Native Court Over Sogit On Fahmi Reza

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A student group in Sabah has called out the Native Court of Keningau for demanding compensation from graphic artist Fahmi Reza over his caricature critical of state Governor Musa Aman.
Suara Mahasiswa Universiti Malaysia Sabah deputy president Qistina Qaisara Syahril Akmar said the court's decision to impose “sogit” on Fahmi (above) was unnecessary as such punishment is meant for individuals who broke customary laws or their code of ethics.
Sogit is a penalty and compensation mechanism formally recognised and practised in Sabah. Native courts in the state are empowered to impose such punishment against anyone guilty of breaching customary laws.
"Suara Mahasiswa is of the view that freedom to criticise is an important element in a healthy democratic system.
"If the (court's) action was truly meant to defend the honour of the Sabahan community, then stop defending corruption.
"Instead, leaders should fight for the people's voice and defend them from injustice and (financial) leakages," she said in a statement today.
‘Koruptor No 1 Sabah’ artwork
It was reported on Thursday that the Native Court of Keningau would be issuing a summons against Fahmi over his caricature depicting Musa as the state's most corrupt individual.
This came as the court deemed the caricature as a serious insult to Musa and the people of Sabah, particularly the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut community.
Bingkor district chief Daniel Palangi was cited as saying by the Borneo Post that the decision was made unanimously during a special meeting between district leaders and village chiefs.
Fahmi had been taking jabs at Musa through the "Koruptor No 1 Sabah" caricature since the latter was appointed as the state governor last December.
This included a visit to Kota Kinabalu where Fahmi pasted the caricature on a wall, which was promptly removed.
On Dec 30, he was arrested over the caricatures and probed under the Sedition Act. - FMT

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