Govt must not to replace UUCA with another ‘oppressive’ law, says deputy education minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 — Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim has expressed concerns that the replacement of the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971 with another "oppressive" law should be avoided. He emphasized that the new legal framework must bolster university autonomy and academic freedom, and rectify the deficiencies of the repealed Act.

Adli stressed that the framework should prioritize meaningful student involvement in the governance of higher education institutions. He clarified that the repeal of UUCA should not result in the enactment of a similarly restrictive law, as previously opposed. According to Adli, the drafting process will incorporate extensive consultations with all stakeholders, including student representatives, university leaders, academics, and policymakers.

The Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) has drawn upon historical records, legal interpretations, and recommendations such as the One Higher Education Act featured in the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint to ensure the new framework is built on clear principles. Adli highlighted the need for a developmental and liberating framework that can genuinely enable universities to advance knowledge, foster healthy debate, and provide learners with the freedom to pursue academic activities.

He also called for broad-based consultations to prevent the inclusion of backdoor clauses and ensure a comprehensive representation of all parties affected by the upcoming legislation. In a recent statement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim affirmed that the government was committed to the full repeal of UUCA 1971 without introducing any restrictive or oppressive laws for student movements.

The Act had undergone seven amendments since its inception in 1971, with the latest in 2024 modifying disciplinary action against students at public universities to be governed by the Student Disciplinary Committee instead of the vice-chancellor. Dr Anuar Ahmad, Deputy Director of the Malaysian Inclusive Development and Advancement Institute (MINDA) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, previously proposed the formation of a high-level committee to scrutinize the new legal framework to safeguard the governance and management of higher education institutions.