The plea for reinstatement came from Unimas deputy vice-chancellor (alumni and student affairs) Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman.

He said it was only fair to reinstate Sulong as the chairman since his term should, by right, end only in April next year.

“It will do justice for Sulong,” Fadzil told FMT, adding that the ministry had failed to provide a “valid reason” for terminating his services.

“The university’s management did not have any problem with Sulong, so we were puzzled by the ministry’s move.

“There was no wrongdoing. He was performing well. People have started to speculate that he might have done something wrong.

“But I think he was just a victim because the ministry wanted someone else to hold the post.”

Kamal announced his resignation as the chairman on Monday after his appointment was criticised by the Sarawak government.

The former Wangsa Maju MP who heads the Malaysian lnstitute of Economic Research (MIER) was the first non-Sarawakian appointed to the post.

The chief minister’s office had criticised the appointment, saying the state government was not consulted.

Sarawak tourism minister, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, also criticised the choice, saying Putrajaya’s unilateral decision could affect the state’s trust in the federal government.

He said Sarawak was already grappling with such issues as its oil and gas rights, oil royalties and the setting up of the Federal Village Community Management Council (MPKKP).

“Bulldozing its way through this matter will only create anger and distrust against Putrajaya among Sarawakians. It will not help in fostering good relations between the federal and state governments,” he said.