UM said the competition’s rules outlined that each performance must be free of “negative elements, provocation, or content that can affect religious, moral, ethical, and cultural values as well as the university’s good name”.

The university said checks found that the controversial scene was not in the original script that was vetted beforehand, and that this was a breach of the competition rules.

“UM apologises for the oversight that occurred and the concerns that this has caused. The university will not compromise with breaches in guidelines or rules that have been set.

“The play in question has been disqualified from the competition and further action is being carried out to bolster monitoring (of performances) and to ensure that such incidents do not repeat,” it said in a statement.

A viral video of the scene had briefly featured a couple on a bed, which netizens said was too suggestive.