KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) has reaffirmed that the government is not linked to the controversial afterparty organised by the Malaysian Society Club (MSoc) at a UK university.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said the programme was organised by the student association themselves and is beyond MoHE's control as their university does not fall under the ministry's purview.
"The students abroad are not under MoHE's control, and we do not have the authority to prevent them from participating in any association activities.
"However, if such issues arise within local universities, the ministry will undoubtedly issue guidelines since those premises fall under our jurisdiction," he told the New Straits Times.
He said the ministry only provides monetary assistance to the student association for the proposed main program.
"We are minimally involved, merely providing a modest contribution for their games and food festival. Our contribution amounts to only RM4,000, and that encompasses the extent of our involvement," he added.
Meanwhile, the Nottingham Malaysian Society president also stressed that the afterparty was solely a student-run event and did not involved Malaysian government and Education Malaysia London.
"They are only affiliated with our Nottingham Malaysian Games and Malaysian Food Festival."
Previously NST reported that a female student named Aisyah has ignited a debate among netizens by criticising a nightclub afterparty allegedly organised by the Malaysian Society Club (MSoc) at a UK university.
A TikTok video posted by @thisisiasyahtrying had raised questions about religious sensitivity and cultural inclusivity.
According to the video, the MSoc, as part of its annual Malaysian Games, decided to organise an afterparty, extending an invitation to all members, including Muslim students.
Aisyah found this disrespectful, stressing that the afterparty activities, such as clubbing and drinking, conflicted with Islamic practices and Malaysian culture.