Higher education institutes free to express solidarity with Palestine according to own rules, says minister

KOTA TINGGI: Higher education institutions are free to express their solidarity with Palestine in accordance with their own rules and regulations, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The Higher Education Minister said that each university has its own different approach to the matter and the ministry would not interfere unless it was necessary.

“We have to understand that the Higher Education Ministry and the Education Ministry are two different bodies; we do not control and make decisions on everything.

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“Our ministry only manages the coordination of universities and matters that involve tertiary education, which means that they have their own freedom to choose how to express their support and sympathy,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters after officiating the Madani Health Programme at MegaKlinik QMS Kota Tinggi, here, on Saturday (Oct 28).

Mohamed Khaled said this when asked to comment on the Education Ministry‘s decision to organise a Palestine Solidarity Week from Oct 29 to Nov 3, encompassing all educational institutions under the ministry.

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“What is implemented by the Education Ministry does not mean that it will also be implemented at the Higher Education Ministry.

“We have only told universities that we need to support the Palestine Humanitarian Fund, that’s all,” he added.

On Thursday (Oct 26), the Education Ministry said in a statement that Palestine Solidarity Week will be implemented at all educational institutions under the Education Ministry, including schools, vocational and matriculation colleges, and teacher training institutes across the country.

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"The primary objective of this initiative is to instil humane values, encompassing human rights and courtesy, in students.

“This includes fostering attitudes of empathy and concern for the suffering of individuals, irrespective of their race, religion, or social status," it said.

However, on Friday (Oct 27), the ministry issued another statement saying that it will not compromise on any elements of extremism and violence during the organisation of Palestine Solidarity Week at schools and all educational institutions under its purview.

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This comes after a 55-second video clip showing a man armed with a replica rifle in a school programme which went viral on X and TikTok, causing concern among Malaysians.

The ministry said they were aware of public concern regarding the viral video and acknowledged that the programme in question did not follow the ministry’s guidelines.