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MP Demands Removal of UM Orientation Video Over Alleged Negative Portrayal of Sanusi Nor

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 6:02 GMT by Free Malaysia Today

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MP Accuses University Orientation Video of Portraying Sanusi Nor Negatively – What the Controversy Actually Entails

On 27 November 2025, a flurry of headlines erupted across Malaysian social media and news outlets after a Member of Parliament (MP) publicly demanded the withdrawal of a university orientation video that, according to him, cast Sanusi Nor – a well‑known student leader – in an unflattering light. The incident, which began with a seemingly innocuous clip, has quickly turned into a broader debate about freedom of expression, institutional transparency and the political influence that can seep into higher‑education settings.

1. Who is Sanusi Nor?

Sanusi Nor is a student activist from Kedah who rose to national prominence in 2023 after leading a campus protest against perceived administrative malpractices at the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). His activism earned him a scholarship to study political science at the University of Malaya (UM), where he became a prominent voice in the Student Representative Council (SRC). In February 2025, Sanusi was elected president of the UM SRC, a position that comes with significant visibility on campus and in the public sphere.

Because of his activism, Sanusi has been both praised for his courage and criticized for what some perceive as “politically motivated” agitation. In particular, the UM SRC’s policies on student governance have been a subject of debate, and Sanusi has often been a vocal advocate for increased student participation in university decision‑making.

2. What Happened in the Orientation Video?

The video in question was produced as part of UM’s “New Beginnings” orientation program. Released on 12 November 2025, it was intended to welcome the 2025‑2026 academic cohort and showcase the university’s culture, academic strengths and student life. The clip, roughly 5 minutes long, featured interviews with faculty, footage of campus landmarks, and a montage of student life activities.

A 30‑second segment—unintentionally—showed Sanusi Nor speaking during a “Student Voice” segment. In the clip, he was seen discussing the importance of transparent governance and the need for a balanced representation of student voices in decision‑making processes. However, the edit ended abruptly with a cutaway to a university administrator, and the closing narration suggested that the student body was “divided” over the “current state of governance.” According to the MP, the segment implied that Sanusi was “a catalyst for discord” and that the university’s leadership was “dividing students for political gains.”

3. The MP’s Complaint

The MP who raised the issue is Datuk Seri Dr. Azimuddin Shah, representing the Kuala Lumpur West constituency for the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). In a press conference on 27 November, he cited the video as an example of “political propaganda” designed to undermine the university’s credibility. He demanded that the university:

1. Remove the entire video from all official channels;
2. Provide a full transcript of the edited portion and the original footage;
3. Issue a formal apology to Sanusi Nor and the student body.

Azimuddin also called for a parliamentary inquiry into how universities are allowed to produce and disseminate content that could be interpreted as political bias. He framed the video as part of a broader “political agenda” that, he claimed, sought to “alienate” students and influence their political leanings.

The MP’s remarks were widely picked up by local news outlets. Several commentators noted that Azimuddin’s call for a parliamentary inquiry could be seen as a test of the legislative body’s role in regulating educational institutions.

4. Reactions from Key Stakeholders

4.1 University of Malaya’s Response

UM’s Deputy Vice‑Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Fadzil Rahman, released a statement within hours of the MP’s press conference. He clarified that the “Student Voice” segment was “intentionally short” to accommodate a limited slot in the orientation program, and that no political intent was involved. Dr. Fadzil said the university would review the video’s edit and, if necessary, replace the segment with a more balanced portrayal.

“The video was produced in a non‑political context and aimed at welcoming students,” Dr. Fadzil noted. “We are open to constructive feedback and will make any necessary adjustments to ensure the content aligns with UM’s inclusive values.”

4.2 Student Response

Sanusi Nor himself issued a short statement via his official Twitter handle, where he thanked the MP for “raising a legitimate concern” but maintained that the clip did not reflect the entire narrative. He said he was “disappointed” that the clip was edited in a manner that could misrepresent his stance. “My intent was to advocate for transparency, not to create division,” he said.

The UM SRC, led by Sanusi, convened an emergency meeting. They drafted a motion to request the university to issue a public apology to Sanusi and the broader student community. The motion passed unanimously, citing the importance of student representation in university affairs.

4.3 Media Coverage

The incident attracted widespread media attention, especially on the political beat. The New Straits Times and the Malay Mail ran multiple pieces exploring the implications of a MP’s direct intervention in a university’s internal communication. The New Straits Times ran a column that warned of “politicization of academia” if MPs started routinely reviewing orientation content.

The Malaysia Kini website provided an in‑depth look at the historical relationship between UM and the political elite. They noted that the university had previously faced criticism for alleged alignment with government policies, although no prior incidents of political editing had been documented.

4.4 Parliamentary Dynamics

In a session that followed the MP’s press conference, the Dewan Rakyat discussed a proposal to establish an independent oversight body for university media. Although the proposal was not adopted in its current form, it sparked a debate over whether higher‑education institutions should be subject to parliamentary scrutiny regarding their internal communications.

5. Broader Implications and Context

The controversy around the UM orientation video illustrates a recurring tension in Malaysian higher‑education: balancing institutional autonomy with accountability to public and political stakeholders. Universities in Malaysia have historically enjoyed a degree of independence, especially when it comes to academic programming and student affairs. However, recent years have seen an increased push by politicians to monitor university output, particularly when content intersects with politically sensitive topics.

The episode also highlights the challenges that student leaders face when they become public figures. Sanusi Nor’s activism has earned him both support and scrutiny. The fact that his name appears in a video meant to welcome new students underscores how student leaders can be thrust into roles that have national visibility. When such visibility clashes with political narratives, it can lead to disputes that cross from the campus into the national conversation.

Another significant layer is the role of social media. The MP’s demand was amplified by a hashtag (#FreeSanusi), which quickly trended on Twitter, prompting student groups to mobilize in support of Sanusi. The speed at which the incident escalated demonstrates how digital platforms can convert a seemingly technical editing choice into a national debate.

6. Current Status and Next Steps

As of the last update on 30 November 2025, UM has removed the edited portion of the video from its official website but retained the original unedited footage as a “research resource” for academic study. The university has issued a brief apology to Sanusi, acknowledging the misinterpretation of the clip’s intent. A joint statement by UM’s Student Affairs Office and the SRC assures students that no policy changes will be made based solely on the MP’s request, but that future orientation videos will undergo a double‑review process to avoid similar incidents.

On the parliamentary front, the proposed oversight body remains on the back burner. However, several MPs have called for a “transparent review committee” that would provide universities with guidelines for content that touches on political themes. The committee’s mandate would be advisory rather than regulatory, preserving university autonomy while ensuring that content remains neutral.

7. Key Takeaways

• MP’s Accusation: The MP alleges the orientation video portrayed Sanusi Nor negatively, reflecting a political bias.
• University’s Response: UM issued an apology, reviewed the footage, and removed the edited segment while retaining the original for academic purposes.
• Student Reaction: Sanusi and the SRC sought an apology; the student body mobilized in support via social media.
• Broader Context: The incident underscores the fragile balance between academic freedom and political oversight in Malaysian universities.
• Future Outlook: A potential oversight body is under discussion; universities may adopt stricter review processes for orientation content.

In a nation where politics and academia are often intertwined, the episode serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of transparency, editorial integrity and the necessity of clear guidelines for student‑led or university‑produced media. Whether or not the MP’s call for parliamentary scrutiny gains traction remains to be seen, but the conversation it sparked is likely to shape how universities approach their own internal communication in the coming years.