Pas Party Backs AUKU Abolition, Warns Against Political Exploitation of Students

Malaysia's Pas party has voiced its support for the abolition or review of the Universities and Colleges Act (AUKU), emphasizing that the reform should genuinely liberate students' thinking rather than serve as a platform for political parties to gain influence. Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, the party's Deputy President, stated that higher education reforms must prioritize freeing students' minds, not creating new avenues for specific parties to garner political support.

"The time has come for students' thinking to be opened, to be free to listen to the lectures and views of political parties within the university. Any party can come in to present their views. Whether they want to be a party member or not, that is the right of the Malaysian people who are eligible to vote," Tuan Ibrahim told Utusan Malaysia.

He stressed the importance of this openness, particularly following the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18. Students now not only have the right to vote but are also eligible to be election candidates and potentially hold Cabinet positions. Therefore, Tuan Ibrahim argued, open and balanced political exposure is crucial.

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The time has come for students' thinking to be opened, to be free to listen to the lectures and views of political parties within the university. Any party can come in to present their views. Whether they want to be a party member or not, that is the right of the Malaysian people who are eligible to vote.

Pas intends to monitor the implementation of AUKU's abolition to ensure the changes benefit all parties and do not disproportionately favor specific political groups. "We support the abolition of this act and will monitor how far the abolition can benefit all existing political parties. Our party will scrutinize it one by one. Any act needs to be brought to Parliament and debated," he added.

Tuan Ibrahim also believes that excessive political interference in higher education institutions needs correction to ensure academic progress and promotions are based on expertise and knowledge. He noted that past restrictions on students had led to AUKU being perceived as an obstacle to intellectual and academic development. Pas envisions university campuses as spaces for open exchange of ideas and knowledge, not as arenas for political influence-building.

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We support the abolition of this act and will monitor how far the abolition can benefit all existing political parties. Our party will scrutinize it one by one. Any act needs to be brought to Parliament and debated.