The university said it will continue to ensure that its campus environment remains safe and conducive, including taking stern action against any party involved in misconduct, regardless of their position or status.

In a statement, it said the professor has been suspended in line with the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 (Act 605).

Last Friday, UM Feminism Club (UMFC) president Chin Jes Weng and UM gender studies masters graduate spokesman S Indramalar presented a memorandum to the university’s integrity unit demanding the immediate suspension of the professor pending an investigation.

The memorandum, which was supported by 27 NGOs, including the Women’s Aid Organisation and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), demanded that the allegations against the professor be investigated thoroughly, and called for reforms to UM’s sexual harassment policies.

The higher education ministry said then that the integrity unit was actively carrying out an investigation into the matter, and that it took a serious view of any misconduct and breach of procedure involving staff at institutions of higher learning.