KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry is ready to hear all grievances raised by student protesters who gathered outside Parliament over the Universities and University Colleges Act (Auku) 1971, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
The Higher Education Minister said his ministry was open to reviewing Auku, which he described as a dynamic piece of legislation.
"We can reassess the processes under it, especially if there are gaps or areas that can be improved," he said while wrapping up the debate for his ministry on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address on Monday (Feb 9).
Earlier, a group of student protesters called for Auku to be abolished.
The protesters, who said they belonged to various student groups under the Abolishment of Auku Secretariat, walked to the Parliament building here on Monday morning to hand over a memorandum outlining their demands.
Zambry said the review aligns with the broader Malaysian higher education plan, which aims to evaluate the entire higher education ecosystem, including procedures, appointments and related mechanisms.
"For instance, the ministry is considering developing a new legal framework for higher education, which would include a review of all relevant laws, including Auku.
"If you ask me, I would like to see Auku examined in the context of today’s world, particularly with regard to student freedom.
"Its definition cannot remain the same as in the past.
"Today, in academic terms, we talk about 'student self-formation'—how students can exercise both their intelligence and their freedom in a constructive way," said Zambry.
On the appointment of vice-chancellors of public universities by the minister, Zambry said the ministry was prepared to look into the calls for change.
"We are prepared to listen to their views, including the specific concerns raised this time regarding the minister’s powers.
"They (the protesters) were outside earlier, calling for the process of appointing vice-chancellors not to be placed entirely under the absolute authority of the minister.
"I want to state here that if we look back at the existing legislation, in the context of appointing vice-chancellors, it is not solely or absolutely subject to the minister’s discretion.
"It is not a case of the minister arbitrarily appointing whomever he pleases," he said.
He added that under Auku, a vice-chancellor shall be appointed by the minister on the advice of the committee established under Section 4(a) of the Act, following consultations with the university board.
"I also never rejected the proposals given by the board," said Zambry.
