PARLIAMENT Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh has defended two forums against Christianisation held by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), claiming they were meant to explain the threat of Islamic State (IS) and Syiah teachings.

"The objective of the seminars was to discuss academically the pros and cons on the matter in line with the intellectual culture at the higher education level," he said in a written parliamentary reply.

"The seminars basically explained the issues of IS, Syiah and the crusade, from the historical point of view, as well as the development of Islam, which (they could) share with the UiTM students."

Idris was responding to Darell Leiking (PKR-Penampang) who asked why the ministry agreed with such forums held last year and the year before.

"Would the minister agree to have a Christian expert to talk at a UiTM forum to inculcate the culture of respecting each other?" asked Darell.

On this, Idris said public universities have full autonomy in organising such seminars.

"The Higher Education Ministry has granted autonomy status to public universities so that they can become among the best institutions in the world," replied Idris.

In December 2015, UiTM held a forum titled ' Ancaman Gerakan Pemurtadan Kristianisasi ' (Threat of Christian Proselytisation Movement) at its Malacca campus .

A participant told Malaysiakini the students were told that Christians use the " gold, glory, gospel " approach to proselytise Muslims.

UiTM Shah Alam was also condemned in 2014 for holding a seminar where participants were told that undercover Christian preachers are sent to Malaysia to convert Muslims.