The ministry added that the lecturer in question “has since replied and provided explanations and references for the content used and facts presented.”
“We have been informed by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) that it took the necessary action in respect of the Tamadun Islam dan Tamadun Asia (Titas) subject slides.
“UTM formed an internal task force, chaired by its Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Professor Dr Rose Alinda Alias and comprising academic leaders, including three individuals of different races and religions, to look into the case from a holistic perspective in an impartial and unbiased manner,” the ministry said in a statement released today.
According to the ministry, the UTM task force identified the lecturer as being a contract academic staff.
Further to the investigation by the task force, the university has also appointed an independent external committee of Titas experts, comprising Professor Zaid Ahmad and Associate Professor Dr Sarjit Singh (both from Universiti Putra Malaysia), as well as Prof Dr Rajantheran Muniandy (Universiti Malaya).
“All the information presented by the lecturer in question has been passed to the independent external committee to assess the credibility of the materials submitted. At the same time, the committee is asked to decide on the appropriacy of the expressions and language used by the lecturer in question,” the ministry said.
The ministry added the committee was to provide the results of their assessment within a week and the committee’s report will determine the next course of action.
“Any action to be taken will be decided solely by UTM as part of their autonomous authority.”
The ministry said the role of higher education was to promote unity, understanding and tolerance between the various racial groups in Malaysia.
“We strongly condemn what has happened and would like to remind all educators of their responsibilities in preparing and conveying knowledge to their students.
“Academic integrity and the integrity of academics is therefore sacred to us,” the ministry said, adding that it hoped that what happened in UTM does not recur.