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UUCA repeal empowers students, strengthens critical thinking: Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has highlighted how the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act restrictions will enable students to exercise greater freedom of expression. He emphasised that open discourse is essential for developing informed and thoughtful leaders.

LSN Malaysia · 28 August 2026

UUCA repeal empowers students, strengthens critical thinking: Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has underscored the importance of unrestricted freedom of expression in universities, following the repeal of restrictive provisions in the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA). The move, he stated, will allow students to engage more freely in intellectual discourse and debate.

Anwar emphasised that the ability to express ideas openly is crucial for cultivating knowledge-based leadership in Malaysia's future. By removing barriers to campus speech, the government aims to foster an environment where critical thinking can flourish among the student population.

The Prime Minister's remarks reflect the administration's commitment to creating space for diverse viewpoints within higher education institutions. Officials have suggested that such an environment will better prepare graduates to tackle complex societal challenges through informed analysis and reasoned argument.

The UUCA repeal represents a significant shift in Malaysia's approach to student activism and campus expression, signalling a departure from previous restrictions on political activities and public discourse at universities.