Auku akan dimansuhkan, kata Anwar

Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku) will be abolished due to certain issues that have not been fully satisfied by the numerous amendments made to the law. The campaign to abolish Auku was launched across the country by the Secretariat Mansuh Auku student group in April. Although several changes have been made to the act, some students still feel unsatisfied and have submitted a memorandum.

The PKR president emphasized that today he is announcing the abolition of Auku at the PKR National Congress 2026 held at the International Trade Centre Melaka. Auku has undergone seven amendments since its introduction in 1971. The first amendment was introduced in 1971, followed by amendments in 1975, 1983, 1996, 2009, and a new Section 16B in 2024.

The 2024 amendment allows students to participate in political party activities outside campus, while the latest amendment states that disciplinary actions against public university students are no longer under the deputy chancellor's authority but are decided by the Student Discipline Committee. Section 15A of Auku also allows student councils and student bodies to raise funds and receive donations in any manner, subject to the written rules and laws in force.

Anwar mentioned that several educational reforms have been implemented, including the more uniform intake of early childhood education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) materials, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. He emphasized that they do not want pre-school education to be limited to urban and privileged children.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education to ensure equal access to education for all children.