Auku mesti dimansuh sepenuhnya, tiada akta ganti kekang mahasiswa, kata Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged on Wednesday that the University and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku) will be fully repealed without any replacement legislation that could impede student freedom, according to his speech at the PKR 2026 Congress. The Prime Minister firmly stated that the government will not compromise with any attempt to merely amend Auku; instead, the act must be completely abolished.

He emphasized that this step is crucial to ensure true student freedom and prevent the idealism and movement of students from being stifled by special legislation. Anwar stated, "Auku must be wholly repealed. There is concern that when Auku is cancelled, new legislation is introduced that also encumbers and restricts. I will not allow any regulation or replacement law that stifles student activities."

He also pointed out that existing legislation is sufficient to handle common criminal offenses, negating the need for a special act that encumbers students. Anwar reaffirmed the principle introduced since 1974, arguing that it should not continue in a new form. He clarified that he does not intend to overturn existing criminal procedure rules, but a specific legislation for students like Auku is unnecessary.