Higher Education deputy ministers Dr Hou Kok Chung and Datuk Dr Idris Haron believed the lack of security led to the assault on Dr Yap Sin Tian, senate head of New Era College in Selangor on Sunday.

Dr Yap, who is also Dong Jiao Zong president, suffered a bloody nose after a former student punched him during the convocation in Kajang.

Dr Hou said the incident had marred the college's image, adding that it was "unacceptable and an embarrassment to all academicians."

Expressing shock and sadness over the incident, he said the attack should not have taken place during such an important event.

Dr Idris said this was the first time such an incident had happened in the country.

"We have over 500 private higher learning institutions and the ministry has outlined the guidelines required to tackle risks and negative behavioural syndromes shown by students or staff. We hope the police can complete their investigations soon," he said.

The New Straits Times on Tuesday reported that Dr Yap was attacked over his decision not to renew the contract of its former principal, Dr Kua Kia Soong, at the end of 2008.

Many students were said to be unhappy that Dr Kua's contract had not been renewed.

On Nov 7, some 300 students staged a protest at the college in support of Dr Kua.

NST said on Sunday's attack on Dr Yap showed that bad blood was still brewing over the management's decision not to renew Dr Kua's contract.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Sakaruddin Che Mood declined to comment on the motive but said police had identified the assailant as a student of the college who graduated last year.

He said police were currently tracing the man from Johor, who disappeared after the incident.

Dr Kua has condemned the attack, said The Star on Tuesday.

'Of course I am not involved. I am no longer working in the college,' he said.

He added that the man who had punched Dr Yap had done damage to the cause he and others were fighting for, which was for a more democratic college.