Jawatankuasa Parlimen mahu undang menteri bincang pemansuhan Auku

A special Parliament committee wishes to invite the Education Minister to discuss proposals to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act (Auku), states Saifuddin Abdullah. The chairman of the National Development and Human Resources Development Special Committee, Saifuddin Abdullah, said his colleagues have reached a consensus to invite Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir to discuss the matter in detail.

The Indera Mahkota MP explained that the issue requires serious research, as Auku is not just about controlling student freedom and discipline, but is also a foundational and governing law for universities and university colleges. "If Auku is repealed, it needs to be replaced," he stated in a statement.

Last Saturday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the government's intention to repeal Auku after some amendments to the act were still not satisfactory to students seeking broader freedom. Auku, introduced in 1971, has undergone seven amendments, including one in 2012 that allowed students to attend political party activities outside campus and the latest amendment in 2024 which gave students more space to collect funds and receive donations.

Saifuddin, who also chairs the Education and National Development portfolio, said the combination in the Education Reform Proposal published in September 2024 also recommends replacing Auku with new and comprehensive legislation. He believes that efforts to expand student freedom cannot solely rely on changing the law, as some universities have a draconian management style that misuse Auku to restrict student freedom.

Saifuddin, who is also the chief secretary to the nation's vision party, Wawasan, said that while expanding student freedom through legislation changes is possible, negative university management practices need to be corrected at the administrative level. This involves broader issues such as the spirit of academic excellence and success, which includes student and academic freedom.