In a statement, the NGO applauded Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM’s) move to sack the lecturer at the centre of the controversy surrounding his slides for the Islamic and Asian Civilisation Studies (Titas) module.

“Pusat Komas would like to congratulate the swift action of the UTM management in overcoming this controversy.

“However, such issues should not have happened in the first place,” Pusat Komas said.

“The education system should promote unity and harmony and not further erode the social fabric among Malaysians.”

Pusat Komas said pre-emptive measures should be taken to ensure that such issues do not happen again.

“There is a need for all education institutions to ensure that no forms of provocative or racial discriminatory elements are embedded in the education syllabus.

“There is definitely no room for racism and intolerance in the education system in a country like Malaysia.”

Pusat Komas pointed to its recently launched “Racism Report 2015”, which recommended that, among others, the Malaysian Government should “take the lead and initiative to carry out intense and widespread public and social awareness education … to educate, promote and instil consciousness and eradicate racism and discrimination at all levels of the Malaysian society”.

“We call on all educational institutions to ensure that education must enable all persons to participate effectively in their respective societies, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial and religious groups, as stated in the Asean Human Rights Declaration.”