Four student groups have lodged separate police reports against the Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student who briefly replaced a flag bearing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s image with a protest banner outside the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Representatives from UPSI Student Council, Alumni Pemimpin Mahasiswa Aspirasi Malaysia, and Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung complained that the incident during last Saturday’s protest for academic freedom brought disrepute to UPSI and other students.

“The student representatives lodged the report to press for stern action to be taken against the student involved, over the rude gesture against the prime minister,” Utusan Malaysia reported today quoting an unnamed source.

adam adli Adam Adli Abdul Halim (left) , who is also Legasi Mahasiswa Progresif coordinator, is believed to be responsible for the stunt and has been threatened and nearly attacked as a result of his protest action.

Sekretariat Suara Keamanan Mahasiswa chairperson Muhammad Mukhlis Maghribi reportedly said that the incident did not represent the consensus of university students.

In addition, to taking action against the individuals involved, he urged police to check whether the main protest organiser, Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia, is a registered body, and whether the group had police and the building owner’s permission to hold the demonstration.

Last Saturday, about 500 protesters - mostly university students - marched to the Umno headquarters at Putra World Trade Centre building demanding greater academic freedom.

Najib’s flag, one of a series of flags paying tribute to Umno’s past and current presidents, was replaced with a banner that read ‘Liberate academic freedom’ for about a minute before being raised again.

Universiti Teknologi Mara and University Sains Malaysia have also joined UPSI in promising to take action against the protesting students.

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