Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has called on the police to protect activists following attacks against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) activist Nisha Ayub and student leader Syahir Rahimi Sukri.

The group's legal and campaign coordinator Michelle Yesudas said the law grants equal protection to everyone, and urged police to act against the attackers.

"We would like to remind the authorities that these activists deserve equal protection under the law even though the authorities may not agree with their activism.

"They must take immediate and serious action against the perpetrators, failing which they would only embolden the perpetrators or others to commit similar or even more serious crimes," she added in a statement today.

Not taking action, she said, would hinder activists from carrying out their work freely and effectively and allow a culture of impunity to fester.

Nisha, a transwoman, was attacked by two men armed with an iron rod last Thursday, and sustained several injuries while on her way to work.

Meanwhile Syahir, who is president of Gabungan Mahasiswa Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, was attacked in the early hours of Monday.

The 22-year-old student was slashed, beaten, and had paint splashed on him by two youths armed with a knife, who then sped off on a motorbike.