PETALING JAYA: The Higher Education Minister is expected to introduce a new law to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) next year, following the government's decision to first amend existing provisions that affect students' freedom of expression and association.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the Cabinet had approved two proposals submitted by the Higher Education Ministry at its meeting today, marking the beginning of a two-stage reform of the legislation.
He said the first proposal involved amending AUKU, particularly sections considered to restrict students' freedom to express their views and form or participate in associations.
The second proposal involved developing an entirely new Act to replace AUKU, which would be undertaken within a reasonable timeframe.
Fahmi said the Cabinet had agreed for the Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to bring forward amendments to the existing AUKU for tabling in Parliament in December.
"The amendments are intended to remove provisions that affect students' freedom as soon as possible," he said at the post-Cabinet press conference.
He said the process of drafting a completely new law would take longer as the ministry needed to consider several aspects of university administration, including registration, supervision and management.
The new legislation is expected to address how universities and university colleges are governed and administered, with the government targeting its development in 2027.
Fahmi clarified that the timeline for the new legislation had not been specifically fixed by the Cabinet, although the government expected the process to take place next year.
AUKU was enacted in 1971 as the main legal framework governing the establishment, maintenance and administration of public universities and university colleges in Malaysia.
The legislation has undergone several amendments over the decades, with some of its provisions attracting criticism from student groups and civil society over their impact on freedom of expression, political participation and student activism.
One of the most debated provisions was Section 15, which regulates students' participation in political activities and membership of organisations.
Amendments in 2012 relaxed some restrictions by allowing students to become members of political parties, subject to certain conditions, and participate in political activities outside campus.
The proposed reforms follow Anwar's announcement in August 2026 that the government intended to repeal AUKU without introducing new legislation that would restrict or suppress student freedom.
