Politics · Malaysia Bureau
New universities bill will preserve student freedoms, says Deputy PM Zahid
Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi has assured that legislation replacing the controversial Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 will not restrict students' rights to free expression. The government has moved to repeal the decades-old AUKU, which had been criticised for limiting campus activism.
LSN Malaysia ·
MELAKA, Nov 3 — Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi has pledged that the new bill designed to replace the repealed Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 will safeguard students' freedom of expression on Malaysian campuses.
The AUKU, which has governed university conduct for over 50 years, had drawn sustained criticism from student activists, civil society groups and international observers who argued its provisions unduly restricted campus freedoms and political participation.
Zahid's statement comes as the government moves forward with drafting replacement legislation to modernise the regulatory framework governing higher education institutions. Officials have indicated the new framework will balance institutional autonomy with student rights while maintaining campus order and academic standards.
The deputy prime minister's remarks suggest the government intends to address longstanding concerns about student freedoms in the new bill, though specific provisions have not yet been made public. The revised legislation is expected to undergo parliamentary review before implementation.
The move represents a significant shift in Malaysia's approach to university governance, reflecting broader discussions about democratisation and civil liberties in the country's higher education sector.