Universiti Malaya (UM) has denounced the protest carried out by one of its graduating students during the varsity’s graduation ceremony yesterday.

The university said it has lodged a police report over the actions of student activist Wong Yan Ke at the Dewan Tunku Canselor yesterday in demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor Abdul Rahim Hashim.

Wong, upon receiving his scroll, proceeded to yell “Tolak rasis. Undur VC. Ini Tanah Malaysia (Reject racist. VC withdraw. This is Tanah Malaysia)” while holding up a placard which listed several reasons why Rahim should resign.

“UM strongly denounces the actions which clearly did not respect the ceremony and disrupted protocol and smooth running (of the event). It has also tarnished the good name of UM as an institution of higher learning, of the graduates and all UM staff.

“UM always supports the principle of freedom of expression. Even so, as an institute of higher learning that is entrusted to educate the future generation, we also believe that any action based on such principles must be carried out at the right time and place,” a statement released by the university said.

UM added that Wong’s actions in the midst of five-day graduation ceremony were “rude and unacceptable”.