The varsity confirmed receiving a report on the allegations against the professor but declined to comment on the case as it had been referred to the authorities for investigation.

“UM will continue to monitor developments in this case and is ready to fully cooperate with the parties involved to ensure that the issue can be handled appropriately,” it said in a statement.

The professor had allegedly shared pictures of himself in the nude with students and sexually harassed others. The pictures were purportedly displayed around UM’s campus to warn students about the alleged perpetrator but swiftly taken down.

Yesterday, a UM student group urged the alleged victims to file police reports so that a probe could be initiated.

Separately, the UM Academic Staff Association (PKAUM) urged the varsity to conduct an immediate internal investigation into claims, saying the probe must be thorough and transparent.

“To put an end to these allegations and to safeguard the safety of our students and campus community, prompt action by the university management is paramount.

“If the allegations are unfounded, the management can refute them and take the necessary steps to alleviate the anxiety and concerns of the campus community.

“UM was one of the first universities in Malaysia to adopt a sexual harassment policy, and it would be a travesty if this policy became merely cosmetic, given the years of effort and advocacy required to put it into place and implement it,” PKAUM said in a statement.

It added that the allegations were serious, given the imbalanced power dynamics in the relationship between a professor and a student.