Group Wants Utm To Rescind Flawed Rule On Cultural Performance

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A rights group has called on Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to retract a directive imposing several restrictions on cultural performances on its premises.
Aliran argued that the university management’s directive contradicts constitutional provisions on diversity and inclusivity in society.
“This ban directly contradicts UTM’s assertion that it respects and celebrates the unity and diverse ethnicities, religions and cultures that make up its campus community,” its executive committee said in a statement today.
According to the directive, which went viral on social media, UTM disallowed any cultural performances with mixed genders, stating that performances involving female students were strictly for the view of women only.
ADSAmong others, it also stated that the cultural performance must be “gentle, Malay in character, and tasteful.”
Additionally, the varsity banned groups with “foreign cultural elements” from performing at its premises, unless it received the vice-chancellor’s nod.
Malay traditional dance‘Committed to diversity’
Amid criticism, UTM expressed its commitment to the values of diversity and inclusivity “in line with the Federal Constitution”.
The public university said it respected and celebrated the unity and diverse ethnicities, religions and cultures that make up its campus community.
“In UTM’s arts and culture policy, the term ‘foreign cultures’ refers to cultural elements that are not in line with the institution’s values and the cultural practice of Malaysian society.
“This term does not refer to any culture, tradition or community within the country, but the university’s need to ensure that every arts and culture activity is based on local values and identities,” Free Malaysia Today reported it as saying.
Previously, UTM had cancelled an online talk featuring popular Indian classical dancer Ramli Ibrahim in June 2021.
UTM said it was decided after a meeting with its Islamic Centre, which had deemed the subject of cross-cultural dance art unsuitable.
Who decides?
Aliran was unimpressed with UTM’s explanation, saying it lacked clarity and conviction.
It asked who would be authorised to decide on what performance is “gentle, Malay in character, and tasteful.”
ADS“The restrictions on gender and audience segregation are particularly troubling. They discriminate against women by curtailing their inclusion and equal opportunities in the performing arts and entertainment.
“The provisions may potentially exclude women from participating in plays, dramas, and performances that fall outside narrowly defined ‘local’ cultural boundaries,” it added.
Aliran argued that the directive would discriminate not only against minority communities but also against the Malays.
The group pointed out that traditional Malay dances often feature male and female dancers performing together.
“Under this rule, such performances could be banned. Malay cultural performances by female groups could be restricted to female-only audiences, fundamentally altering the communal nature of these cultural expressions,” it added. - Mkini

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