The five-member panel formed by Universiti Malaya (UM) to probe alleged racism against one of its lecturers might prove to be an "exercise in futility”, says Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.

The senior DAP leader said similar reports earlier of racism against lecturers and staff of public institutions have gone unpunished.

“Given this, the people might not have the confidence on the panel in investigating and punishing the lecturer, if found to be guilty,” Ramasamy said in a statement.

He said this in reference to the latest move by Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan, who said he had referred the allegations to UM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Amin Jalaludin.