According to Zambry, UM’s management acknowledged that certain aspects of the performance involved sensitivities that need to be addressed, Utusan Malaysia reported.

“UM recognises that there are sensitive elements that need to be improved. Some have questioned whether this was a reactive response or due to the absence of guidelines.

“I want to clarify that each university has its own set of guidelines. However, programmes involving creativity are sometimes viewed from different perspectives,” he said after an event at Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Kota Kinabalu today.

Zambry emphasised that corrective steps must be taken to prevent issues that could touch on sensitivities within Malaysia’s multi-ethnic society.

“This is not about just one race or religion, but concerns the broader norms and values of Malaysian society as a whole. UM has also informed us that it is taking steps to rectify the situation,” he said.

He also advised faculties of arts and creative disciplines across universities to be more mindful of sensitive elements in their work.

“We do not want to reach a point where drastic measures, such as shutting down related faculties, are considered. That would be reactive rather than proactive, and could escalate the issue unnecessarily.

“Instead, we should address the matter by adhering to existing guidelines,” he said.

UM issued a public apology on Thursday after a scene in a theatrical performance competition at the varsity drew criticism online for purportedly being overly suggestive.

The university 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 upon investigation, it was found that the controversial scene was not in the original script that was submitted for the competition, calling it a breach of the competition rules.