KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hopes that all university students and stakeholders can place their trust in the comprehensive improvement measures currently being planned by the government.
He said all parties need to give the government room to implement amendments or completely repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) for student freedom.
Anwar said he has personally been consistent in opposing the act for a long time, and emphasised the government’s current commitment to bringing about comprehensive change for the benefit of students and higher education institutions.
“Give us room, I have fought this act (AUKU) for a long time. Now we want to amend it comprehensively, so please give a little room,” he said when answering a question from a participant at the Malaysia MADANI Intellectual Forum Series 13 on the Nation’s Future Education and AUKU at the Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Malaya, here last night.
The participant wanted to know what guarantees the government can provide that the new act replacing AUKU will not simply be AUKU in a new form.
Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, and Academy of Sciences Malaysia President Tengku Datuk Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen.
Elaborating further, Anwar said the effort to amend or repeal the act requires a comprehensive process and thorough review following discussions at the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and Cabinet levels.
The Prime Minister also gave assurances that the government is committed to providing broader political space and channels for freedom of speech for students, anchored on good governance and orderly laws.
Meanwhile, Anwar asked the National Student Consultative Council (MPPK) to give him a little time to hold a special meeting session to discuss matters raised by student representatives regarding the act’s validity and student welfare.
“Give (me) a little time. I am focusing on the Budget... then Independence Day, then Malaysia Day... it will be very challenging, but insya-Allah, I will,” he said.
Earlier, MPPK representatives submitted two matters to the Prime Minister: requesting that the MPPK, which comprises 35 student leader representatives from public universities (IPTA), polytechnics, and community colleges, be officially involved in the drafting or amendment committee of the act; and secondly, requesting a special premier meeting with the Prime Minister to voice core student issues directly. — Bernama
