KUALA LUMPUR — Student advocacy groups have welcomed the government’s pledge to abolish the controversial Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA), but warned Putrajaya against replacing it with restrictive legislation under a new name.
The response follows Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement during his policy speech at the PKR National Congress on August 15 that the 55-year-old law would be fully repealed to grant students greater liberty.
However, youth organizations emphasized that the abolition must deliver structural reform rather than serve as a political gesture.
Calls Enshrining Autonomy and Equal Drafting Rights
Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia president Alyaah Hani Anuar stated that any replacement legislation must enshrine academic freedom and student autonomy as core principles.
“Matters concerning the minister’s power to appoint vice-chancellors and the vice-chancellor’s power to dissolve student organisations must be reviewed. We do not want any provision in the new law to resemble the repressive nature of UUCA,” Alyaah said.
Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia (Haram) outlined five specific demands, urging the government to extend reforms to parallel laws governing polytechnics, community colleges, and private universities. The group also demanded that student movements serve as direct co-drafters of the replacement bill rather than mere consultative panelists.
Additionally, Haram called for independent merit-based leadership appointments, parliamentary oversight of university finances, a clear implementation timeline before November, and an independent tribunal for student disciplinary appeals.
New Legislative Framework Underway
Addressing the transition, Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir confirmed that a comprehensive framework titled the “One Higher Education Act” is being developed under the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026-2035.
Zambry noted that because UUCA serves as the parent legislation governing overall university administration, its repeal requires a progressive replacement law that balances institutional autonomy with public accountability.
Meanwhile, Sarawak-based youth organization Pertiwi Progresif called for student representatives from Sabah and Sarawak to be included in the drafting process, ensuring equal regional participation under the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
