Kuala lumpur: A more comprehensive national higher education legislative framework, set to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), has been outlined under the Malaysia Higher Education Plan (RPTM) 2026-2035, announced Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. This initiative is part of the agenda for establishing the One Higher Education Act, which was launched in January 2026.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Higher Education Ministry is considering the need to reform the national higher education legislative framework by drafting a new, comprehensive act to replace AUKU. Dr Zambry acknowledged the Prime Minister's announcement on the repeal of AUKU during his presidential policy speech at the 2026 PKR National Congress, emphasizing that AUKU was foundational for the establishment, administration, and governance of universities and university colleges.
Dr Zambry stressed that the repeal of AUKU must be accompanied by a new legal framework that is more comprehensive, progressive, and aligned with the current and future needs of higher education. The process will be inclusive and comprehensive, involving the views of stakeholders such as university leaders, academics, public and private higher education institutions, industry players, polytechnics, community colleges, TVET providers, legal experts, and students.
According to Dr Zambry, the move aims not only to repeal AUKU but also to establish a more comprehensive and forward-looking higher education legislative framework. This framework is intended to strengthen institutional autonomy, academic freedom, and student voice while maintaining governance, accountability, and excellence across higher education institutions.
He noted that the initiative is part of the higher education transformation under the RPTM 2026-2035, aiming to ensure Malaysia's higher education system remains relevant and dynamic amid changes in the global education landscape. Earlier, Prime Minister Anwar mentioned that the government would repeal AUKU to provide greater freedom and democratic space for the student movement in the country. This decision follows a memorandum and views presented by student leaders calling for comprehensive changes to the act.