Anwar, you once had to break through UM’s gates, now make sure no one else has to — Khoo Ying Hooi

On August 27, Anwar Ibrahim addressed students, academic freedom, and the future of Malaysian universities at my university. This visit brought to mind a similar situation in 2014, when the University of Malaya (UM) attempted to block a student-organized event featuring Anwar, who was then an opposition leader. The students, undeterred, pushed through the gates and proceeded with their event, leading to disciplinary action against those involved.

However, Anwar's return to his position as Prime Minister marked a stark contrast, as he now spoke about fostering freer universities, moderating a forum alongside Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, and Academy of Sciences Malaysia president Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen.

Anwar understood the implications of political restrictions from both sides of the gate. He emphasized that universities must continue to serve as platforms for debate, dissent, and political imagination. While repealing the Academic Qualifications (University) Act (AUKU) is a crucial first step, the harder task lies in dismantling the culture that AUKU helped establish.

Anwar stressed that students should be granted full freedom to express themselves and organize activities, and that universities should once again become spaces for critical thinking.

However, the freedom must extend beyond mere tolerance. Students should not have to rely on the discretion of university officials or government officials to enjoy their rights. The contradiction of treating students as adults for global competitiveness and innovation but as children when they engage in political activism or challenge authority must be rectified. Universities need to cease being spaces where obedient graduates are produced, while students are encouraged to cautiously navigate critical thinking.

Anwar also called for academic freedom to be protected, not just for faculty members but for students as well. He urged academic staff to express their views without government interference, particularly when their research or public commentary might contradict official narratives. Academic freedom must remain robust even when it becomes uncomfortable, such as when challenging policy or facing retaliation, especially for younger academics who may lack the security to withstand such challenges.

Moreover, Anwar cautioned against reducing university democracy to students choosing the vice-chancellor or dean. While students should have a voice in such matters, the question of how university leaders are chosen and the criteria for selection should also be addressed. The process should be transparent, with the selection criteria and committee members' credentials being publicly known.

This reform should be more ambitious, ensuring that the criteria for choosing university leaders reflect academic credibility, leadership, integrity, and the community's confidence, while remaining insulated from political influence.