A Chinese international student at Universiti Malaya (UM) is at risk of expulsion after wearing shorts to the campus library, which reportedly violated the university's dress code. According to China Press, the student faced reprimand from library staff, who allegedly berated him, filmed his departure, and confiscated his student ID. Staff members further warned that the infraction would be reported to his faculty, escalating the risk of expulsion.

In response to the incident, the University of Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY) released a statement on Facebook on Sunday, November 3, expressing concerns over the treatment the student received. While UMANY acknowledged that the student had breached UM's dress code by wearing shorts, the group criticized the "aggressive behavior" displayed by the security personnel. UMANY added that although the student attempted to cover his legs with long sleeves while exiting, the staff continued to treat him in a manner the group deemed disrespectful.

UMANY argued that the university's approach highlights a broader issue: the dress code's "conservative and authoritarian" nature, which they believe does not reflect the open, intellectual environment that Malaysia's top educational institution should promote. They further stated that the policy grants too much interpretive power to staff members, potentially leading to inconsistent and, at times, unfair enforcement.

This is not the first time UM's dress code, introduced in April, has sparked controversy. Earlier this year, UMANY reported that a law student was denied entry to the library for wearing what they described as "a normal shirt and trousers."

The student body has since called for the removal of the dress code altogether, asserting that students are mature enough to dress appropriately without needing stringent oversight. UMANY argued that attire in non-formal campus settings should be respected, so long as it is not offensive or overtly provocative. "As long as one does not harm others or engage in sexually explicit behavior, individuals should have their choices regarding attire respected in non-formal settings outside office hours," they said.

UMANY stressed that a university should champion intellectual freedom and prioritize its role as a learning environment over rigid rules that potentially stifle students' rights. With UM's dress code now facing scrutiny once again, the incident has sparked debate on whether such policies align with modern expectations of campus culture and individual autonomy.