Malaysian government should not fear students, says PKR official

Malaysian political figure Sivamalar Genapathy stated that the government should not fear students who speak out, emphasizing that their silence would be more worrying. She argued that students' willingness to voice opinions, criticize, and express differing views should not be perceived as a threat, as universities should serve as centers for knowledge, debate, and critical thinking.

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We do not need to be afraid of students who dare to speak out. We should be more concerned when students choose to remain silent.

Genapathy, the Deputy Secretary-General of PKR, welcomed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's announcement to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971. She believes this move will propel higher education towards a more open, progressive framework aligned with current demands.

"We do not need to be afraid of students who dare to speak out. We should be more concerned when students choose to remain silent," Genapathy said. She added that the abolition of AUKU must be accompanied by a new legal framework that safeguards academic freedom, university autonomy, student rights, and institutional accountability.

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The abolition of AUKU must be accompanied by a new legal framework that safeguards academic freedom, university autonomy, student rights, and institutional accountability.

She clarified that abolishing AUKU is not a gift to students but an acknowledgment of their rights to think, speak, organize, and participate in shaping the nation's future. Genapathy noted that the agenda to abolish AUKU is not new and is part of the necessary reforms to restore student freedom and strengthen university autonomy, a long-standing demand.

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Abolishing AUKU is not a gift to students but an acknowledgment of their rights to think, speak, organize, and participate in shaping the nation's future.