Mansuh Auku: ‘Jangan umum dahulu, fikir kemudian’, kata pemimpin Umno Kedah

Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin, a Kedah Umno leader, has warned the government against taking an "umum dahulu, fikir kemudian" (declare first, think later) approach when it comes to the proposed repeal of the University and College Education Act 1971 (Auku). Instead, he urged the government to outline the framework of the new legislation that will replace it first.

Shaiful's statement came after Anwar made the announcement at a PKR Congress, proposing to repeal Auku and replace it with new legislation, more than five decades after it was introduced in 1971. The Minister of Higher Education, Zambry Abdul Kadir, explained that a more comprehensive framework for the replacement legislation is already being planned under the Malaysia Higher Education Single Act (RPTM) 2026-2035 agenda.

While Shaiful does not outright reject the idea of reform, he firmly believes that changes to the foundations of higher education cannot be made hastily or for political gain. According to him, Auku's repeal is not solely about student freedom, as the purpose also involves expanding opportunities for these individuals to voice their opinions and engage in politics. He emphasized that if Auku is to be replaced, the framework and implications for universities must be clarified first.

Shaiful stressed that higher education in the nation should not be a political experiment.