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Malay Youth Council Rejects Complete Abolition of University Act
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Culture & Society

Malay Youth Council Rejects Complete Abolition of University Act

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Malaysian Malay Youth Council (GPMS) opposes the complete abolition of the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971.
  • GPMS argues that student freedom must be balanced with responsibility, discipline, and accountability.
  • The organization suggests targeted amendments to AUKU rather than outright repeal, emphasizing the need for comprehensive studies and national discussion.

The Malaysian Malay Youth Council (GPMS) has voiced strong opposition to the Malaysian government's proposal to completely abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) of 1971. GPMS argues that while student freedom and reforms are important, they must be intrinsically linked with responsibility, discipline, ethics, and accountability.

GPMS does not fear student freedom. GPMS fears when freedom is given without education, without discipline and accountability.

— Muhd. Fazreen Ismadi FauziExplaining GPMS's stance on student freedom and responsibility.

According to GPMS President Muhd. Fazreen Ismadi Fauzi, the organization is not against student freedom but is concerned about the potential consequences of granting such freedom without a corresponding emphasis on education, discipline, and accountability. He stated that any weaknesses or constraints within AUKU could be addressed through targeted amendments, negating the need for a complete repeal of an act that forms part of the governance framework for higher education institutions in Malaysia.

Weaknesses or constraints in AUKU can be improved through targeted amendments without needing to abolish the entire act, which also forms part of the governance framework for the country's higher education institutions.

— Muhd. Fazreen Ismadi FauziProposing amendments as an alternative to complete abolition.

GPMS advocates for universities to remain centers of knowledge and democracy, rather than becoming arenas for partisan politics. The council has put forth three key positions: the government should not abolish AUKU before conducting comprehensive studies and gathering input from all stakeholders. Furthermore, a dedicated AUKU Reform Committee should be established, comprising students, academics, alumni, educational bodies, and student organizations.

GPMS also calls on the government not to make hasty decisions and to allow space for more comprehensive national discussions before any abolition is made.

— Muhd. Fazreen Ismadi FauziUrging a cautious and inclusive approach to AUKU reform.

Finally, GPMS urges the government to avoid hasty decisions and allow for broader national discussions before any abolition is enacted. The council supports the reform of AUKU but firmly rejects a "blind" or wholesale abolition, emphasizing the need for a more considered and inclusive approach.

GPMS supports AUKU reform but rejects blind abolition.

— Muhd. Fazreen Ismadi FauziSummarizing the council's position on the act.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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