Students’ group calls for ‘clear timeline’ for abolition of Auku

Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia (Haram) has welcomed the government's announcement that the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku) will be abolished. However, the student group has urged the authorities to establish a clear timeline for the process, stating that the government should introduce a motion on the matter during the upcoming meeting of the Dewan Rakyat.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the Auku will be entirely abolished without any legislation that could limit students' freedom. He emphasized the importance of this move to protect students' ideals and activities on campus from being restricted by laws specifically targeting them. Anwar made this statement during his concluding remarks at the PKR congress in Melaka.

In addition to the abolition of Auku, Haram has called for greater independence in appointing university vice-chancellors, improved financial transparency, and an independent tribunal to handle disciplinary appeals involving students. The student group also urged the government to review other laws governing higher education institutions, arguing that the complete abolition of Auku alone would not guarantee enhanced academic freedom if similar restrictions persisted in other areas.