Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has urged institutions of higher learning (IPTs) to strengthen guidance and monitoring of student activities to ensure that creative expression remains within the limits of public sensitivity. Higher Education director-general Datuk Prof. Dr. Azlinda Azman stated that the recent controversial theatre performance at Universiti Malaya (UM) should serve as a lesson, particularly in ensuring that student works remain grounded in local cultural values and norms.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azlinda mentioned the incident was seen as an oversight by students eager to showcase their artistic talent, leading to public sensitivity being overlooked, but without any ill intent. She emphasized the importance of universities being sensitive to the enthusiasm-driven works of young people, which sometimes lack awareness of potential sensitivities.

Azlinda highlighted the need for IPTs to play a guiding and advisory role to ensure that students' creativity does not exceed the limits of sensitivity while preserving eastern culture. The statement was made after her visit to the Astaka KPT at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security Exhibition (NATSEC) Asia 2026.

She further noted that MOHE had received an official report on the incident and would leave it to the university to take appropriate follow-up action.

UM had issued an apology over the incident at the Karnival Teater (KARVITER) UM, admitting that some scenes performed were not in line with the original script, which had undergone the screening process. The performance violated the competition's established conditions as it contained elements that could affect religious, moral, and cultural values.

The issue gained public attention on April 16 after a clip of the scene went viral on social media, drawing criticism from various quarters.