KKK cosplay: Zambry urges UiTM to review teaching approach

The Higher Education Ministry has requested Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to review its pedagogical approaches following the recent viral issue involving students dressed in costumes resembling members of a racial extremist group.

Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said pedagogy in learning must consider related matters and maintain certain sensitivities.

“Perhaps, several opinions have been voiced. UiTM has already clarified the actual situation and outlined the steps they will take,” he told reporters after the fifth series of the Malaysia Madani Scholars Forum yesterday.

Zambry also said that there is no need for him to intervene in every issue involving students and higher education institutions that becomes controversial.

“I believe it is immature to demand that we intervene in everything. However, what’s most important is that when an issue like this arises, UiTM has the responsibility to explain it to the public,” he said.

‘Encouraging critical thinking’

UiTM, in a statement on Wednesday, clarified that the students wearing costumes resembling members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) were part of an academic assignment by UiTM Foundation Centre students for a presentation in the Contemporary Global and Legal Issues course.

UiTM said the assignment aimed at encouraging critical thinking and raising student awareness of international human rights issues.

It added that lecturers and the faculty involved had ensured that the presentation was conducted in a controlled manner based on academic principles without touching on religious, cultural or racial sensitivities.

Yesterday, police confirmed that they had received a report on Wednesday regarding the viral video showing a group of UiTM Dengkil Foundation Centre students dressed in costumes resembling members of the KKK.

- Bernama

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