Kuala lumpur: The repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) is not solely focused on students, as the government is also reviewing the entire higher education legal framework before introducing a new Act as its replacement.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir stated that the review was necessary because AUKU is the main legislation governing not only student-related matters but also the establishment and operations of universities, governance, academic affairs, and administration. AUKU currently comprises 44 sections covering various aspects such as university establishment, governance, academic matters, academics, administrators, and other areas, with only seven sections related to students.
In the context of students, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the need to examine aspects that have become constraints. This was conveyed by Dr Zambry during a press briefing after the inauguration of the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Cancer Centre (PKTAAB) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
Dr Zambry emphasized that the review would take into account the freedom and rights of academics, the challenges they face, as well as the needs of administrators, students, institutions, and other laws related to the country's higher education system. He stressed that the new Act must serve as the main legal framework covering the entire higher education ecosystem, addressing both present and future needs.
The minister further mentioned that an independent committee, announced earlier, would allow for various views to be considered during the review process, aligning with the government's commitment to listen to all parties before finalizing the new legal framework. Last Sunday, Dr Zambry said a more comprehensive higher education legal framework to replace AUKU had been outlined under the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM) 2026-2035, as part of the agenda to establish the One Higher Education Act launched in January.
Previously, Prime Minister Anwar noted that the government would repeal AUKU to provide greater freedom and democratic space for students, after considering memorandums and views submitted by student leaders seeking comprehensive changes to the Act.