Speaking during the daily press briefing, senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah reiterated Anwar’s order to the higher education ministry and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) not to take action against its students for protesting.

Tunku Nashrul said the incident was a reminder of the people’s hope for the government to completely eliminate corruption.

“As the prime minister himself was part of a student movement, and once led a movement for reform on the streets, he understands that criticism, no matter how much it stings, is an important part of democracy.

“The future of our youth should not be jeopardised due to differences of opinion,” he said.

Earlier, higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said Anwar had urged UMS not to expel the students involved in burning a caricature of the prime minister during an anti-corruption rally in Kota Kinabalu last Saturday.

The Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 protest saw more than 100 people call for action to be taken over the Sabah water department scandal.

Organised by several UMS students, the rally ended with the burning of a caricature of Anwar.

Police are investigating the burning of the caricature under the Sedition Act 1948 and Penal Code.