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Higher education experts have welcomed the government's plan to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, characterising the move as progressive reform that will strengthen Malaysia's competitive edge while preserving institutional governance frameworks.
Malaysia's Higher Education Ministry plans to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) and introduce a new comprehensive legislative framework under the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026-2035, aimed at strengthening academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
The Democratic Action Party has thrown its weight behind Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's announced plan to repeal AUKU, the 1971 legislation governing public universities. DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says the move fulfils a long-standing party commitment while urging the government to extend reform momentum across higher education.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has assured that the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 will be fully repealed without introducing replacement laws that restrict student movements, addressing longstanding concerns about academic freedoms.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the government will repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 to expand democratic freedoms for Malaysian university students following sustained calls from student leaders.
Malaysia's government has committed to repealing the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, a landmark decision that Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli describes as validation of decades-long student activism demanding greater freedoms.
Malaysia's planned repeal of AUKU marks a symbolic victory for student freedoms, but experts warn the true measure of reform lies in whether replacement legislation tackles systemic inequities in university admissions and funding.