SUBANG JAYA, April 19 – The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) has instructed Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) to conduct a review of its pedagogical practices, including its teaching methods and educational principles, following the circulation of a video depicting a group of students wearing costumes resembling those of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a white supremacist extremist group.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir stated that pedagogical approaches in higher education must take into account appropriate considerations and be mindful of sensitivities, particularly when dealing with issues that may affect religious, cultural, and racial harmony.

“I have requested that the university re-examine its pedagogical methods and ensure that they are guided by awareness of relevant concerns. There may be sensitivities that require close attention. The university is in the best position to understand what actions need to be taken moving forward,” he said.

“UiTM has since provided a clarification regarding the matter. I believe that a proper explanation from the institution is crucial in addressing this issue,” he told reporters after attending the Fifth Series of the Malaysian Civil Scholars Forum (FIM) held here on Friday.

The incident in question emerged after a video went viral on social media, showing a group of students from the UiTM Dengkil Campus Foundation Centre dressed in attire resembling members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a group historically associated with racism, hate crimes, and white supremacy. The video sparked significant public criticism and concern over the implications of such portrayals.

In response, UiTM issued a statement on Wednesday explaining that the students had dressed in that manner as part of an academic assignment for the Contemporary Global and Legal Issues course.

According to the university’s statement, the assignment was intended to stimulate critical thinking and deepen students’ understanding of human rights issues at the global level.

UiTM also emphasized that the assignment was carried out under strict academic supervision. The lecturers and faculty involved ensured that the presentation was conducted in a controlled and guided environment, based on academic principles and frameworks, without breaching or infringing upon any religious, cultural, or racial sensitivities.