Kota Kinabalu: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir reminded institutions of higher learning to strictly adhere to existing cultural and social guidelines in response to a controversial theatre performance which drew public backlash on social media at Universiti Malaya (UM), recently.
“Corrective measures must be taken because we do not want to offend the sensitivities of our multiracial and multi-religious society. This is about the decorum and values of our Malaysian society,” he said, noting UM has already taken steps to rectify the situation.
UM earlier issued an apology, stating it would not compromise on violations of programme guidelines or regulations. Initial investigations found that the disputed scene was not part of the original approved script and constituted a clear violation of competition rules.
Zambry acknowledged that while each university operates under its own guidelines, student-led creative works can sometimes be interpreted differently.
“I want to clarify that every university has its own guidelines. However, when creative programmes are carried out by students, they may be viewed from multiple perspectives,” he said.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to the “Jom Masuk U” Carnival here, he reiterated that while the Ministry respects artistic freedom, such expression must remain within the bounds of Malaysian social norms.
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He dismissed claims that the government’s response was reactive, emphasising that guidelines are already in place and institutions must ensure compliance.
On higher education enrolment, Zambry said the Ministry is prioritising broad access to approximately 175,000 available places for school leavers, rather than setting a fixed intake target for 2026.
The figure comprises about 100,000 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) graduates and 75,000 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates.
“As long as there is interest in pursuing higher education, we will ensure students are placed according to their merits,” he said, adding that the approach allows for distribution across both academic and technical pathways based on qualifications and interests.
He also noted a growing shift in student preferences towards technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with specialised fields such as nursing and offshore industry programmes gaining traction.
“While traditional courses like business and engineering remain popular, there is increasing interest in TVET,” he said, adding that programmes offered by private higher education institutions are closely monitored by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
During the event, Zambry launched the UMS Student Kitchen initiative and presented a Phase 1 funding mock cheque worth RM283,733.93.
The initiative, aligned with the “Zero Hunger and Good Health” pledge, aims to enhance food security among university students by providing free basic food supplies and daily rice to residents of Tun Mustapha and Tun Fuad residential colleges.
It is expected to ease the financial burden on students, particularly those from rural areas, amid rising living costs.
Also present were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin and Universiti Malaysia Sabah vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.
Addressing concerns over the safety of Malaysian students in the Gulf States and the Middle East, Zambry said the situation is being monitored daily in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He noted that the largest number of Malaysian students are in Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, while six students are in Iran.
“The overall situation is well-managed, and we are working closely with the Foreign Ministry to ensure the safety of all our students and academic staff abroad,” he said.
