Repeal of AUKU needs clear control mechanisms, says former academic

Datuk Dr. Aripin Said, a former lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), supports the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU), but insists that the move must be accompanied by robust control mechanisms. He argues that while students deserve greater freedom to express their views, this liberty must not come at the expense of academic discipline or the overall quality of higher education.

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Students have the freedom to speak, especially to criticize the government and so on. They have the right to speak because they will inherit the country in the future.

"Students have the freedom to speak, especially to criticize the government and so on. They have the right to speak because they will inherit the country in the future," Aripin told Utusan Pelajar. He believes that students should be given wider space to voice opinions and critique the government, recognizing their role as future leaders.

However, Aripin cautioned that this freedom must be balanced with responsibility and discipline. He stressed the importance of establishing mechanisms to ensure that the newfound leniency is not exploited, which could disrupt campus harmony. "The repeal is agreed upon, but there must be other mechanisms. The student affairs and residential college departments can actually play that role," he suggested, adding that all staff must fulfill their duties.

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The repeal is agreed upon, but there must be other mechanisms. The student affairs and residential college departments can actually play that role.

To maintain order, Aripin also called for the strengthening of disciplinary boards. He believes that appropriate controls are crucial for students to exercise their freedom of speech maturely without neglecting their academic responsibilities. "Student discipline must exist, and a disciplinary board must be established so that the situation does not become uncontrollable," he stated. He further noted that the quality of education and a university's standing are partly dependent on its ability to foster a disciplined academic environment, warning against any decline in educational standards due to unchecked freedom.

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Student discipline must exist, and a disciplinary board must be established so that the situation does not become uncontrollable.