On December 17, 2024, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) administrators canceled a previously approved exhibition the same day that it was scheduled to begin, reportedly stating that its content was “too sensitive.”

The canceled exhibition focused on Suaram Balamurugan, who died in police custody in 2017. It was part of a nationwide tour by Suaram, a Malaysian human rights group focused on ending disproportionate police response. USM’s political science club had co-organized the showing at USM, which was intended to run from December 17-20. The group had already secured a room for the exhibition, and USM faculty members, lecturers, and USM’s Student Development and Alumni Affairs Division (BHEPA) had all previously approved it when BHEPA administrators canceled the event, apparently because it was concerned too sensitive.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the cancellation of a previously approved on-campus, academic event. Higher education leaders should respect academic freedom by refraining from restrictions on academic activity. Attempts to limit academic discussion and exchange undermine academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://themalaysianreserve.com/2024/12/18/group-calls-out-universities-for-restricting-academic-freedom/
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/12/18/disruption-cancellation-of-events-prompt-calls-for-greater-academic-freedom/
https://www.scoop.my/news/240359/too-sensitive-suaram-pans-usm-for-blocking-exhibition-on-custodial-deaths/
https://www.scoop.my/news/240443/students-rights-groups-decry-curbs-on-academic-freedom-after-events-on-touchy-subjects-disrupted/