The government has been urged to establish a new framework to strengthen academic freedom:he government has been urged to establish a new framework to strengthen academic freedom, institutional autonomy and student rights in the country, following the proposal to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) director-general Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil welcomed the proposed repeal and emphasized the necessity of a framework to ensure universities remain accountable to society and the nation. He stressed the importance of inclusivity in developing this framework, involving students, academics, university administrators, legal experts, civil society, industry, and the government.

"Academic freedom must be preserved based on intellectual integrity, the rule of law and public interest, while universities must continue to serve as spaces for research, inquiry, critique and responsible debate," Mohamed Azam stated. He further elaborated on the need to refine the authority of ministers, boards of directors, and institutional administrations with clear limits and credible review mechanisms to ensure proper checks and balances.

Mohamed Azam highlighted that autonomy should allow for professional decision-making while ensuring accountability in the exercise of power and use of public resources. He also commented that the success of the reform should be gauged by its ability to enhance the quality and dignity of academic institutions. "Malaysia needs universities that are free to advance knowledge, strong in integrity and trustworthy in governance," he added.

In his remarks last Sunday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim assured that the government would fully repeal AUKU without introducing any new laws that are restrictive or suppress student activism.