KUALA LUMPUR – The decision to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) marks another major step forward in the country’s Reformasi agenda, said PKR Deputy Secretary-General Sivamalar Genapathy.
Welcoming the announcement by PKR president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, she said calls to reform and eventually abolish AUKU had been part of a longstanding effort to restore student freedom and strengthen university autonomy.
“This is not a new issue. The push to reform and ultimately abolish AUKU has been going on for years as part of the struggle to restore students’ freedom and strengthen university autonomy,” she said in a statement today.
Sivamalar said the Pakatan Harapan administration had taken an important step in 2018 by repealing Section 15(2)(c), which restricted students from participating in political activities on campus.
She said the reform process continued under the MADANI Government with amendments to AUKU in 2024, including greater autonomy for student bodies in managing their finances and improvements to student disciplinary mechanisms.
“However, reform cannot stop with one amendment after another.
“Universities must be places of knowledge, debate and critical thinking. Students who dare to question, criticise and hold different views should not be treated as a threat,” she said.
Sivamalar said there should be no fear of students who were willing to speak up, adding that society should instead be more concerned when students chose to remain silent.
She described the announcement on AUKU’s abolition as a significant milestone after more than five decades of the legislation being in force.
“It is time to move towards a higher education framework that is more open, progressive and responsive to the demands of the times,” she said.
However, she stressed that the abolition of AUKU must be followed by a new legal framework that safeguards academic freedom, university autonomy, students’ rights and institutional accountability.
“For me, the message is clear. Political promises are not merely made to win elections. When the people give a mandate, those promises become a responsibility to be fulfilled,” she said.
Sivamalar said many aspects of the Reformasi agenda remained to be completed, describing the announcement as another important step towards fulfilling that mandate.
She stressed that abolishing AUKU should not be viewed as a gift to students, but as recognition of their right to think, speak, organise and participate in shaping the country’s future.
“Continue with Reformasi,” she said. -MalayaDailyToday
