Malaysia to Abolish Universities and University Colleges Act 1971

Malaysia's higher education landscape is set for a significant reform with the government's decision to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the move, emphasizing its role in providing broader freedoms for students, including in speech, thought, and societal engagement.

Anwar stated that the decision was made because some parties remained dissatisfied despite previous amendments to the act. "The Universities and Colleges Act, some are not satisfied. They asked to abolish it. Today (yesterday) I have announced, we will abolish the Universities and Colleges Act," he said during his presidential address at the PKR Annual National Congress in Melaka.

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The Universities and Colleges Act, some are not satisfied. They asked to abolish it. Today (yesterday) I have announced, we will abolish the Universities and Colleges Act.

The Prime Minister highlighted that while past reforms aimed to grant more freedom to students, a more comprehensive approach is necessary as part of the government's reform agenda. The proposal to abolish AUKU is scheduled for discussion and further action at the Cabinet meeting this Wednesday.

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Our goal is not just to abolish an act, but to build a more comprehensive and forward-looking higher education legal framework.

Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir noted that the abolition of AUKU necessitates a new, comprehensive, and progressive legal framework to meet current and future higher education needs. He explained that AUKU is not just an act governing student affairs and freedoms but also serves as the foundational law for the establishment, administration, and governance of universities and university colleges. The Ministry of Higher Education has been working on a new act to replace AUKU, as outlined in the Malaysia Higher Education Plan (RPTM) 2026-2035 under the 'One Higher Education Act' agenda.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education Adam Adli Abdul Halim described the announcement as highly significant, particularly in the context of the over 40-year-long struggle to abolish AUKU. He views it as a testament to the government's commitment to higher education reform and its trust in students.

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I see this announcement as something very significant and big, especially in the struggle to abolish AUKU and the reform agenda that we want to give more trust to students.