THE compulsory Ethnic Relations module for universities has been abused and used for indoctrination, instead of cultivating mutual understanding, said the Malaysian Academic Movement (Gerak) after a controversial question on Indian preacher Zakir Naik surfaced.

“In this regard, Gerak is deeply concerned with the latest revelation of possible impropriety in the handling of this module by Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP),” said the academics group in a statement today.

It said the question and provided answers were narrowly worded, indicating an extremely biased view of the examiner.

“The Ethnic Relations module, undertaken as a compulsory module, by all undergraduates, irrespective of ethnicity and religion, must be properly and sensitively handled, in line with the objectives of the 2012 revision and, more importantly, the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025.

“As such, Gerak is puzzled how an established public university likes UniMAP, set up 19 years ago in 2001, has allowed this to slip through its fingers.

“Indeed, more unfortunate questions from the paper are now allegedly being circulated; questions that appear to be derogatory in nature, going against the spirit and overall aims of the module.”

It said at a time when ethnic relations in Malaysia could do with a major boost, actions and such mistakes needed to condemned and resolved quickly.

The question, which had appeared in the Ethnic Relations’ final examination paper in the first semester, described Zakir as an icon of the Islamic world who has done much to propagate Islam.

The question then asked why he had been prohibited from preaching in Malaysia.

The multiple choice answers listed are:

“A) Malaysians do not bother;

B) Sensitive Malaysians feel threatened for no reason;

C) Malaysians are naturally sensitive without reason; and,

D) Malaysians are ignorant about their own religion.”

UniMAP’s Vice-Chancellor R. Badlishah Ahmad said both the question and multiple choice answers given were inappropriate.

“I’m still gathering more information about this. But this question and the accompanying answers were inappropriate,” he told The Malaysian Insight today.

He declined to comment further and said to wait for the university to complete its investigation into the matter.

The Education Ministry’s Higher Education Department is expecting an explanation from UniMAP but has remained silent on the action to be taken against the university.

This is because under the concept of university autonomy, each institution is responsible for its own academic affairs. – December 31, 2019.