Malaysia halts disciplinary proceedings against students for free speech

Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) has issued a directive to immediately cease all disciplinary proceedings against university students concerning freedom of speech, expression, public criticism, and peaceful assembly.

The decision is part of immediate measures to broaden student freedoms and association rights within the current legal structure. This aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's previous statements advocating for the abolition of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU).

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Measures that provide greater freedom to students need to be implemented without waiting for the entire process of developing and drafting new legal frameworks to be completed.

The ministry stated that measures granting greater student freedom should be implemented promptly, without awaiting the full development of new legal frameworks. KPT has identified specific provisions within AUKU and student disciplinary regulations that restrict student expression and association, and these will be temporarily exempted from application.

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However, KPT emphasizes that these freedoms must be exercised responsibly and in accordance with the law.

These exemptions cover freedoms related to managing student associations and clubs, organizing student activities, expressing views, assembling, using communication platforms, and distributing or publishing documents. However, KPT emphasized that these freedoms must be exercised responsibly and in accordance with the law.

Acts involving violence, vandalism, property damage, criminal offenses, academic misconduct, or other legitimate disciplinary violations will remain subject to existing laws and regulations. KPT also plans to review similar provisions affecting students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), which are not directly governed by AUKU, to align their regulations with these reforms.

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Acts involving violence, vandalism, property damage, criminal offenses, academic misconduct, or other legitimate disciplinary violations will remain subject to existing laws and regulations.