Student group Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia has condemned an attempt to label another protest, this time by teachers, as being out to ‘topple the government’.

Its president Abdul Malik Ab Razak said it is regrettable that government officers are now apeing ministers in coming up with immature remarks and being insensitive to teachers' needs.

Abdul Malik was referring to a statement by Shafruddin Ali Hussin, president of the Council of District Education Officers Malaysia, in relation to the planned protest against the school-based assessment system (SBA).

The '222 Mansuh PBS' (222 Abolish SBA) is scheduled to be held at the Bandar Baru Bangi mosque in Selangor from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday.

Teachers have complained that the new system means that they have to spend a significant amount of time on data entry on students’ performance, on top of their teaching duties.

Shafruddin, who claimed that the protest organisers are “being used by certain quarters”, had urged school principals nationwide to ensure that the teachers do not take part in the protest.

The government had previously accused the organisers of the anti-price hike protest dubbed ‘Turun’ as being similarly aimed at toppling the government.

However, the protest on New Year's Eve, which drew some 15,000 people, ended without any untoward incident.

In a separate statement, PKR-linked group Jingga 13 voiced support for the teachers' protest organised by Suara Guru Masyarakat Malaysia.

"Jingga 13 Malaysia urges teachers, parents and educationist to turn up for the rally ...," said coordinator Fariz Musa.

Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, meanwhile, called for the immediate suspension of the SBA until preparations are made for proper implementation.

"Abim regrets that national leaders have not learnt from the debacle from the rushed implementation of the teaching of maths and science in English," said its president Amidi Abdul Manan in a statement.