Whatever career you choose to pursue in the future, the knowledge and skills gained during your years of study are unlikely to go to waste; some may prove useful in unexpected ways. However, one influencer has claimed that certain fields of study, particularly the arts and communications, are entirely useless. His remarks have sparked public outrage, with even local celebrities weighing in on the debate.
For context, an influencer who goes by the handle DMA Islam, posted a video claiming that the most useless, or, in his words, “dumbest” university courses in Malaysia are Mass Communications and the Arts, including theatre, music, and traditional dance. “You don’t need a degree to learn how to dance. Even I can dance,” he said, adding that such fields of study are primarily for entertainment rather than for acquiring knowledge. Here’s how some local celebs reacted to his statement:
Nadia Brian
Actress Nadia Brian, who holds a Diploma in Theatre and a Degree in Communications, called out the influencer for his rude and dismissive remarks. “I had no idea who he was until my friend shared the video. I speak for all creatives and communication workers that he should publicly apologise for what he said. Don’t ever think you’re all that great,” the actress stated.
She added that she was shocked anyone would have the audacity to insult those pursuing such courses, suggesting that DMA Islam was merely seeking attention without considering the consequences of his words or actions.
Datuk Syafinaz Selamat
@remaja.my Tular di media sosial, seorang pempengaruh dikenali sebagai DMA Islam dikecam hebat selepas menggelar beberapa bidang pengajian sebagai bidang yang ‘bodoh’. Berikutan itu, Datuk Syafinaz Selamat tampil menyelar ringkas & menasihati pempemgaruh itu supaya ‘cermin diri dulu sebelum berbicara. #majalahremaja #remaja #remajamalaysia
Renowned soprano and vocal coach Datuk Syafinaz Selamat, who specialises in classical singing, declined to comment on the viral clip. “The more you talk about this person, the more people become curious about their content, so it’s best to ignore it. My only comment would be for him to look in a mirror,” she said. While she kept her response brief, the star has previously shared her concerns about the rise of viral fame on social media and how it is causing significant damage to the entertainment industry, and beyond.
Aisha Retno
@remaja.my Setuju sangat dengan kenyataan Aisha Retno! ✨ Biasanya manusia seperti pempengaruh yang tular baru-baru ini selepas menyebut beberapa bidang itu ‘bodoh’ sememangnya tidak layak diberikan spotlight😌 #remajamalaysia #remaja #majalahremaja
♬ Beep sound Self-regulation sound (about 0.3 seconds)(868131) – amuri
Singer-songwriter Aisha Retno, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, said that there’s no use in giving attention to an “unemployed content creator”, saying that they don’t deserve to be given the spotlight. “There’s no logic in his statement. It’s pointless. I think he should go back to school,” she said. The artist went on to emphasise the importance of seeking knowledge and pursuing further studies, regardless of the course or field chosen.
Datuk Aznil Nawawi
@kool101my Setiap jurusan ada tujuan dan peranannya, tapi kenapa masih ada yang pandang rendah? Dalam hidup ni, apa pun kita buat, tetap perlukan ilmu. Kalau tak ada, memang senang sangat nak ketinggalan. Macam Sir Najmi katakan, bila kurang pengetahuan, mulalah pandang rendah dan tak fikir panjang pada bidang orang lain. Jadi,kita kena hargai setiap jurusan yang ada sebab semua ada kepentingan dan peranannya dalam kehidupan 🙌🏻 #Kool101 #SemasaDanSosial #MuzikYangFamiliar #PakNildiKool101 #PagiOnPoint
Malaysian actor and TV personality Datuk Aznil Nawawi, who holds a Master’s degree in Economics, interviewed a Communications professor from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to get his thoughts on the content creator’s remarks. The professor responded, stating that it was clear DMA Islam had no understanding of the subject matter he was discussing. Aznil Nawawi echoed the professor’s points, emphasising that Mass Communications is a crucial field of study for anyone working in the media, including social media, the very platform the influencer uses to create their content.
Aaron Aziz
Singaporean-Malaysian actor Aaron Aziz called out DMA Islam on his personal Instagram, urging him to remove the word “Islam” from his name. “You’re constantly criticising people as if you’re a top university professor. Just remove the ‘Islam’ from your name if you’re going to insult creatives. The Mass Communications industry is what keeps the film industry alive and makes millions — you airhead,” he said.
What are your thoughts on this?
