Don't Abolish AUKU Just to Change the Act's Name

Malaysia is contemplating the abolition of the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU), a move Parti Bersama Malaysia leader Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli insists must go beyond a mere name change. He emphasized that genuine reform hinges on the substance and details of the replacement legislation. Ramli stated that abolishing AUKU aligns with granting greater autonomy to public universities, freeing them from government constraints. "Now we can only focus on whether it is a form of reform as proclaimed when we look at the act that will replace it," Ramli told reporters. "What we don't want is for it to become political fodder and for AUKU to be abolished, but what replaces it is just another name while the substance remains the same."

“

What we don't want is for it to become political fodder and for AUKU to be abolished, but what replaces it is just another name while the substance remains the same.

Ramli noted that discussions on AUKU's abolition are not new, with efforts to grant university autonomy having been considered during the drafting of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) when he was involved with the Ministry of Economy. He explained that granting autonomy inherently requires the dismantling of AUKU, enabling universities to manage their own staffing and service schemes. "So, in fact, the discussion to abolish AUKU has been a government decision since the 13th Malaysia Plan in terms of its basic principles," he said.

“

So, in fact, the discussion to abolish AUKU has been a government decision since the 13th Malaysia Plan in terms of its basic principles.

However, Ramli cautioned that it is premature to assess the effectiveness of the abolition until the specifics of the new act are revealed. He stressed that true autonomy should empower universities to manage their institutions independently, covering financial and administrative aspects without government intervention. "I hope it is not made a political campaign but taken from the perspective of policy that we have decided on in the 13th Malaysia Plan, which is to give autonomy to universities," he stated. "They don't need to answer to anyone. They are only responsible to the Senate. No need to ask the minister, no need to ask the Prime Minister. The Senate appoints the Vice-Chancellor, and they manage the university independently. I hope that is what happens as decided in RMK13."

“

I hope it is not made a political campaign but taken from the perspective of policy that we have decided on in the 13th Malaysia Plan, which is to give autonomy to universities.