Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia must avoid replacing UUCA with restrictive law, official warns
A deputy education minister has cautioned against introducing a new legal framework that could prove equally oppressive as the Universities and University Colleges Act it aims to replace.
LSN Malaysia ·
The warning comes as the government prepares to repeal the UUCA and establish fresh regulations governing the higher education sector. The deputy minister stressed the importance of ensuring any successor legislation upholds academic freedom and protects the rights of students and academics.
Calls for reform of the UUCA have intensified in recent years, with critics arguing the law constrains free expression and student activism on university campuses. However, officials overseeing the legislative overhaul face pressure to balance legitimate concerns about campus governance with protection of institutional autonomy.
The deputy minister's remarks suggest government officials are divided on how stringent new regulations should be. Stakeholders including student unions, academic associations, and civil society groups have urged lawmakers to use the repeal as an opportunity to introduce more progressive governance standards.
The timeline for introducing replacement legislation has not been finalised. Education ministry officials have indicated consultations with universities and relevant bodies will form part of the legislative drafting process.