Students are often given the creative freedom to decide how they present their project for a particular class. However, without clear guidelines or supervision, this freedom can sometimes result in significant backlash, especially if the work is shared on social media.
Recently, photos and videos of UiTM Dengkil students parading around campus dressed in white garments resembling those worn by the notorious white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), have been circulating on social media. Netizens were appalled by the presentation and called on the institution to take action. However, the statement it released appeared to worsen the situation.
According to anonymous posts on social media, students claimed that the viral KKK-style march was allegedly part of a Social Project class assignment, in which they were allowed to choose any contemporary issue approved by the lecturer. They added that the assignment required students to carry out a campaign to raise awareness about the chosen topic.
When the group that chose the KKK as their subject faced backlash online, they allegedly threatened individuals who criticised them, insisting that there was nothing wrong with their presentation. Yesterday (Tuesday, 15th April), UiTM finally issued an official statement to address the viral issue. Just as claimed by the anonymous users, the university explained that the controversial parade was part of the Contemporary Global and Legal Issue class assignment.
“The costumes and visual elements used are intended to help increase understanding and appreciation of the topics presented, as well as provide a more comprehensive picture from a historical and global perspective,” the statement reads. The university stated that the lecturers and faculty were fully aware of the group’s presentation and had ensured it was conducted in a controlled manner, grounded in academic principles, without encroaching on sensitivities related to religion, culture, or race.
Despite the explanation, netizens continued to criticise UiTM Dengkil for allowing such an offensive presentation to take place. Others highlighted that the KKK-themed parade directly contradicted the university’s claim of “not encroaching on sensitivities related to religion, culture, or race”, given that the group is widely recognised as a Christian extremist cult that has historically targeted people of colour, particularly Black individuals.
At the time of writing, the Ministry of Higher Education has declined to comment on the viral incident. Unfortunately, this is not the first time UiTM has faced public backlash over racial or religious issues; the university previously went viral following claims that non-Muslim students were required to attend an Islamic religious camp and the protest against opening a cardiothoracic surgery programme to non-Bumiputera applicants.
