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Malaysian students demand timeline for university act repeal
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Culture & Society

Malaysian students demand timeline for university act repeal

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Malaysian Islamic Student Coalition (GAMIS) questions the lack of a clear timeline for repealing the Universities and Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU).
  • GAMIS welcomes the government's announcement but demands a clear implementation plan and student involvement in drafting new legislation.
  • The coalition seeks clarity on the proposed One Higher Education Act and emphasizes the need for university autonomy and academic freedom.

A coalition of Malaysian students is demanding a clear timeline for the repeal of the Universities and Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU). The Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (GAMIS) expressed concern over the absence of specific details regarding when and how the act will be abolished, despite a government announcement three weeks prior.

When a policy is announced, there is usually a date, month, and period for its implementation. But regarding the repeal of AUKU, students still lack clarity on when and how it will be executed.

— Muhammad Nasrul Rahman AmranDeputy President of GAMIS, explaining the coalition's concerns about the lack of a clear timeline for the repeal of the Universities and Colleges Act 1971.

GAMIS Deputy President Muhammad Nasrul Rahman Amran stated that while the group welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement on AUKU's repeal, a concrete implementation plan is crucial. "When a policy is announced, there is usually a date, month, and period for its implementation. But regarding the repeal of AUKU, students still lack clarity on when and how it will be executed," he said during a memorandum submission.

The coalition also questioned the direction of the proposed One Higher Education Act, part of the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026-2035. GAMIS seeks explanations on the drafting process, including consultation dates and parliamentary tabling of the bill. "The struggle concerning AUKU did not start today; we have long advocated for this issue, but the announcement of its repeal without a clear timeline raises questions among students," Muhammad Nasrul added.

The struggle concerning AUKU did not start today; we have long advocated for this issue, but the announcement of its repeal without a clear timeline raises questions among students.

— Muhammad NasrulExplaining the long-standing student advocacy for the repeal of AUKU and the current confusion surrounding the announcement.

Furthermore, GAMIS insists on direct student involvement in formulating new legal frameworks, as they are key stakeholders in higher education. "Student participation is needed at the policy formation, legal framework drafting, and bill review stages, not just after decisions are made," he emphasized. The coalition also stressed that the new framework must guarantee university autonomy, academic freedom, and students' rights to voice opinions and associate.

Student participation is needed at the policy formation, legal framework drafting, and bill review stages, not just after decisions are made.

— Muhammad NasrulStressing the importance of direct student involvement in the legislative process for higher education reform.
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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