Kuala lumpur: The repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) necessitates the formulation of an equivalent legal framework to ensure the sustained governance and quality of Malaysia's higher education on a global scale.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Mohammad Shatar Sabran emphasized that any amendments to the higher education legal framework must be executed comprehensively and meticulously to prevent regulatory, governance, and institutional monitoring gaps. He highlighted the necessity for clear guidelines and procedures within the higher education system to maintain orderly and accountable university management and administration.

"Any decision regarding the abolition of AUKU must be preceded by a comprehensive approach as recommended by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), including a comprehensive assessment of the implications of changes to the higher education ecosystem," he stated. Dr. Mohammad Shatar underscored the importance of this approach to ensure that initiatives to strengthen Malaysia's higher education system do not interfere with the government's objective to position the country as a global education hub.

Dr. Mohammad Shatar also remarked that the proposal to abolish AUKU should not be taken lightly, as the act serves as a critical instrument providing guidelines and a governance framework for the journey of higher education institutions (IPT). He noted the high regard for the current quality of national education worldwide and stressed the need to further bolster the efforts initiated since Merdeka.

Moreover, he urged the public to place complete trust in KPT's efforts to deliberate matters concerning the act. This aligns with the Malaysian Higher Education Plan (RPTM) 2026-2035, launched in January under the One Higher Education Act agenda.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the PKR Presidential Policy Address at the PKR 2026 National Congress yesterday, announced the government's decision to abolish AUKU to expand freedom and democratic space for the student movement in the country. This decision follows a memorandum and input from student leadership advocating for comprehensive changes to AUKU.