{
  "id": 2245819,
  "title": "Independent panel to work on Auku replacement, says Zambry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/independent-panel-to-work-on-auku-replacement-says-zambry",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T22:40:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1515662/independent-panel-work-auku-replacement-says-zambry"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An independent committee will be formed to assess the framework for a new law to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku) once it is repealed, according to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. The repeal will necessitate a transitional legal mechanism to avoid regulatory gaps as Auku has been the primary law governing public universities. The first step is to establish the independent committee to examine and implement all aspects of the new legislation. If Auku is repealed without a replacement, universities would struggle to function without a comprehensive legal framework. Zambry outlined four key steps in the reform process: forming the independent committee, engaging stakeholders, assembling a drafting team for the new bill, and executing the transitional mechanism. The Prime Minister announced that Auku will be abolished and not replaced with a law that limits student freedom.",
  "summary": "Your browser does not support the audio element.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}