UMS vice-chancellor Kasim Mansor had said that 13 students from the university who were identified as having taken part in the rally could face disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, under the Universities and University Colleges Act 2012.

“The prime minister has urged that the UMS students involved in the incident not be expelled from the university.

“To him, while they may have made a mistake, their future and education are far more important and must be prioritised,” Zambry said in a Facebook post.

Kasim was reported by the Daily Express yesterday as saying that a disciplinary committee comprising academics would be formed soon to investigate the matter and determine the appropriate action to be taken against the students.

He also said the committee would call each student individually to give their explanation of the incident which took place during the rally on Sunday.

Of the 13, only two were directly involved in burning the caricature, he added.

Kasim also said legal advice from the higher education ministry’s legal adviser would be sought before any final decision is made.

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

The Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally, organised by several UMS students, ended with the burning of the caricature.

More than 100 people took part in the protest to call for action over the Sabah water department scandal.