Provide clear timeline on Auku repeal, govt told

The Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) and NGO Mandiri have urged the Malaysian government to provide a clear timeline for repealing the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku). Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged that several amendments had been made to Auku, but students remain unsatisfied with certain provisions. Both Umany and Mandiri stressed the importance of updating the legal framework to prevent the reintroduction of restrictions on student freedom.

Mandiri coordinator Hamdin Nordin emphasized that the NGO does not want the matter to become another empty reform promise. He highlighted that student organizations should immediately review and withdraw any disciplinary actions taken against students exercising their fundamental rights, such as expressing views, participating in peaceful assemblies, and organizing activities.

Meanwhile, Umany called for all higher learning institutions to withdraw disciplinary actions against students for exercising their rights. The government has acknowledged the need to abolish Auku, but university administrations should refrain from continuing to treat students through outdated control mechanisms, according to the association.

Public policy think tank Heya Inc's Ooi Tze Howe suggested that introducing replacement legislation for Auku could be a time-consuming process. He advocated for pursuing quick-win policies that could be implemented within the unity government's remaining year in office, such as diversifying and decentralizing the appointment of public university board members.

Ooi also called for college deans to be elected entirely by academic staff, currently a partially or voluntarily implemented practice in higher education institutions. Additionally, he urged for strict financial disclosure for public universities, using the standard of publicly-listed companies to ensure accountability and transparency.