“Duterte’s clenched fist salute is a symbol of oppression and violation of human rights,” Fahmi Reza said in a tweet.

Fahmi, who previously courted controversy over his caricatures of former prime minister Najib Razak, also shared a quote by Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Phelim Kine, who said the fist symbolised “a purposeful attack by Duterte on rule of law that has inflicted a human rights calamity on thousands of Filipinos”.

He acknowledged the view of some who linked the clenched fist with boxing, given that boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was also in the picture.

Duterte had been in Kuala Lumpur to watch Pacquiao’s Sunday match with Lucas Matthysse.

However, Fahmi advised these people to research the gesture, which has come to be seen as Duterte’s trademark symbol.

“(US) President (Donald) Trump was also advised against making such a salute with Duterte,” he said, referring to a report by AFP on the matter.

He also cited a 2017 report by The Star of foreign leaders being cautioned against using the clenched fist salute due to “uncomfortable similarities with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s salute”.

“As the prime minister and defence minister, they should not be photographed alongside Duterte with the salute,” he said.

The controversial salute also landed Australian Secret Intelligence Service director-general Nick Warner in trouble two years ago.

Warner, who had also posed with a clenched fist in a picture with Duterte, came under fire from critics who said it sent an inappropriate message from Canberra.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop however defended Warner, saying the gesture was merely a “fist bump”.

Chinese tycoon Jack Ma and Hollywood star Steven Seagal have also been pictured with the clenched fist salute.