AUKU Repeal Involves Holistic Overhaul of Higher Education Legal Framework, Says Zambry

KEPALA BATAS, Aug 22 — The repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) extends beyond student welfare, as the government is reviewing the entire higher education legal ecosystem before introducing a replacement law.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir stated that a comprehensive review is essential because AUKU serves as the primary legislation governing not only student conduct, but also university establishment, operational governance, academic affairs, and administration.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Cancer Centre (PKTAAB) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today, Zambry highlighted the broad legal scope of the existing statute.

“AUKU currently has 44 sections covering aspects such as university establishment, governance, academic matters, academics, administrators and other areas, with only seven sections related to students. In the context of students, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised that we need to examine aspects that have become constraints,” Zambry said.

Zambry explained that the ongoing review considers academic freedom and rights, operational challenges faced by educators and administrators, institutional governance, and related higher education legislation. The replacement Act aims to serve as an overarching legal framework designed to address both immediate and future needs across the national education sector.

To ensure an inclusive process, an independent committee has been tasked with gathering diverse feedback from stakeholders—including university administrators, academics, legal experts, and student leaders—before finalizing the draft legislation.

The initiative aligns with the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM) 2026–2035, which forms part of the “One Higher Education Act” agenda introduced in January to modernize the statutory framework.

The reform process follows commitments by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to repeal AUKU in order to expand democratic space and autonomy for student movements across Malaysian public universities.

–NMT