PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered universities to immediately clear students facing disciplinary action solely for criticising him, his government or other matters, saying such cases should not have to wait for the lengthy process of amending or repealing the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU).
He said university-level disciplinary rules should be relaxed immediately where the alleged conduct did not amount to a criminal offence or involve a police investigation.
“If there are HEP (Student Affairs) regulations, all of that should be relaxed immediately. If there are any disciplinary actions that do not involve violations of criminal regulations involving the police, but concern only the university, they should be released immediately.
“If there are students subjected to disciplinary action solely because of their voices and criticism, including criticism of the Prime Minister, I believe that from tomorrow, I want them to be released completely.
“Otherwise, the amendment to the AUKU will take even longer,” he said.
Anwar made the remarks at the 13th Malaysia MADANI Scholars’ Forum, themed ‘The Future of National Education and the AUKU’, at Universiti Malaya.
The directive marks an immediate step towards widening political and academic space on university campuses while the government undertakes a more extensive review of the legislation.
Anwar said he had opposed the AUKU for many years and urged students and other stakeholders to give the government room to carry out the proposed reforms.
“Give us some space. I have been fighting this Act (AUKU) for a long time. Now we want to amend it comprehensively, so give us a little space,” he said in response to a participant at the forum at Dewan Tunku Canselor.
The participant had asked what guarantees the government could provide that new legislation replacing the AUKU would not simply become the same law in another form.
Anwar said any decision to amend or repeal the Act would require comprehensive consideration following discussions at the Higher Education Ministry and Cabinet level.
He nevertheless assured students that the government was committed to providing wider political space and stronger avenues for freedom of expression, while maintaining appropriate governance and adherence to the law.
The forum was attended by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek and Academy of Sciences Malaysia president Tengku Datuk Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen.
Anwar also asked the National Student Consultative Council (MPPK) to give him time to hold a special meeting to address concerns raised by student representatives over the Act and student welfare.
“Give me a little time. I am focused on the Budget... then National Day, followed by Malaysia Day... it will be extremely challenging, but God willing, I will do it,” he said.
Earlier, MPPK representatives put forward two requests.
The first was for the council, comprising 35 student representatives from public universities, polytechnics and community colleges, to be formally included in the committee tasked with drafting or amending the legislation.
The second was for a special meeting with the Prime Minister to be convened so student leaders could raise core issues affecting students directly.
Anwar’s instruction to universities to immediately release students disciplined solely for expressing their views effectively separates immediate relief for campus critics from the longer legislative process, signalling a push to expand student freedoms before any new legal framework is finalised. - August 27, 2026
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