Anwar: Colonial‑era laws curbing student freedom must be abolished to realise true independence
PERMATANG PAUH, Aug 29 — Colonial-era laws restricting students’ freedom should be abolished to allow the tr...
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stated that colonial-era laws restricting student freedom must be abolished to fully realize the true meaning of independence. Speaking at the 2026 Sahabat MADANI Merdeka Eve programme at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Penang Branch, Anwar emphasized the importance of giving university students more freedom to voice their opinions and participate in activities.
He argued that older individuals are not always correct, and young people should be allowed to express themselves without facing constraints or intimidation. Anwar clarified that freedom does not equate to a lack of rules, but rather a nation governed by the rule of law. He firmly disagreed with adding laws that restrict or intimidate university students.
By trusting young people to share their perspectives and learn from their mistakes, Malaysia can develop a generation capable of confidently expressing their views, acting responsibly, and contributing to the country's progress as an independent nation. Anwar stressed that independence extends beyond physical decolonization; it involves granting people the space to shape the country's future.
He encouraged young people to learn from the history of the independence struggle and leverage it to propel Malaysia towards greater advancements and international recognition.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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