Kajang police chief Assistant Commissioner Sakaruddin Che Mood confirmed a report had been lodged over the incident, saying police were looking for Dr Yap's assailant, believed to be a former student. Dr Yap, who is also the Dong Jiao Zong president, was on stage addressing the graduates when an unidentified man calmly got up and walked towards him.

He took a swing at Dr Yap and walked away.

Dr Yap was left with a bloodied nose and after attempts to stem the flow failed, he was taken to Kajang Specialist Centre.

New Era College is a non-profit initiative under the Dong Jiao Zong, the United Chinese School Committees Association, to provide subsidised tertiary education to the Chinese community.

The college hogged the headlines in Chinese newspapers towards the end of last year following a dispute between the academic staff and the management.

Barbs were exchanged between Dr Yap and then-college principal Dr Kua Kia Soong, whose contract was not extended after it expired at the end of last year.

About 300 students gathered in a show of support for Dr Kua on Nov 7. -- The New Straits Times