THE government’s proposed replacement for the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) will deal with the running of universities, rather than matters involving students.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Cabinet today that the government intended to abolish the Act.
He said Anwar had also stressed that student affairs should be kept out of any new law introduced to replace parts of Auku.
“The prime minister has expressed his intention for the government to abolish AUKU.
“At the same time, although a new Bill may be needed to regulate certain aspects of the administration and management of universities and university colleges, matters involving students and undergraduates should not be included,” Fahmi said.
He was speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing.
Fahmi said the Higher Education Ministry would now look at which aspects of university administration and management required legislation.
Those areas would then be considered in drafting the new law, he said.
Anwar had previously said the government wanted to repeal AUKU as part of efforts to strengthen academic freedom and give universities greater autonomy.
He had also said there was no need for special laws aimed at restricting university students.
The proposed repeal has been welcomed by public university leaders, although they said any new framework would still need to ensure accountability.
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah vice-chancellor Professor Dr Yatimah Alias said the issue should not be viewed only from the perspective of student affairs.
She said AUKU also governs the establishment, administration and overall management of public universities.
International Islamic University Malaysia rector Professor Emeritus Datuk Seri Dr Osman Bakar said the move would give students more room to develop independent thought and leadership skills, while allowing them to play a bigger role in society.
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) and acting vice-chancellor Prof Dr Suriyani Muhamad called the repeal a “golden opportunity” to clarify how public universities should be held accountable.
AUKU was introduced in 1971 to provide the legal framework for the establishment and administration of public universities and university colleges.
It later became closely linked to restrictions on student activism and political activities on campus, particularly after amendments were made in the 1970s.
The Act came into force on April 30, 1971, replacing the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance No. 74, 1971.
It remains the main law governing Malaysia’s public universities and university colleges. – August 19, 2026
