Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh insisted that the anti-Christianisation seminar was held in accordance with constitutional provisions and was meant to promote intellectual discourse on the topics. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
The Higher Education Ministry has defended a local university that invited controversy by organising an anti-Christianisation seminar, saying the event held last year was to educate students on the threat of the Islamic State (IS) and Shiah teachings.
In a parliamentary reply to PKR’s Penampang MP Darell Leiking, minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh insisted that the forum was held in accordance with constitutional provisions and was meant to promote intellectual discourse on the topics.
“For Yang Berhormat’s information, the Higher Education Ministry does not agree with any provocative statements that contradict the Federal Constitution.
“The purpose of the seminar was to critically discuss the pros and cons of a critical issue, in line with the culture among academics and intellectuals at a higher education level,” he said in a parliamentary written reply today.
“Apart from that, the basis of the seminar, which was shared with the students of Universiti Teknologi Mara, was also to explain the threat of the Islamic State (IS), Shiah, terrorism and also to dissect the history of the crusades as well as the development of Islam,” Idris added.
In his question, Leiking had asked if the ministry is consulted on such forums, which took place twice late last year.
Idris said in response that universities are typically given full discretion in such matters.
“The higher education ministry has granted autonomy status to public universities so that they can become among the best institutions in the world,” he said.
The UiTM campus in Malacca entered the spotlight last December after it reportedly hosted a Muslim-only seminar claiming of a threat of proselytisation.
It was the second time the public university catering to Bumiputera community came under fire for holding an ostensibly anti-Christian programme on campus.
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