PM calls for repeal of colonial-era law restricting student activism

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has renewed calls for the repeal of colonial-era legislation that constrains student activism and expression in Malaysian universities. Speaking on the issue, Anwar emphasised that students should be granted more room and trust to voice their opinions and ideas more freely on campus. The remarks underscore ongoing discussions within government and academic circles regarding the balance between institutional governance and student rights at tertiary institutions. Such laws, passed down from the pre-independence era, have long been cited as impediments to open discourse within the higher education sector. Educational stakeholders have increasingly argued that relaxing restrictions on student expression could foster more dynamic intellectual engagement and critical thinking among the younger generation. The Prime Minister's position suggests potential movement toward reviewing the legal framework that currently governs student conduct and activism at Malaysian universities.