As new law on campus politics takes shape, minister sorts students into two camps — ‘Agree’ and ‘Disagree’

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — Discussions are under way with all relevant parties on the drafting of a new law to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA), said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

He said several meetings had been held with representatives of the academic community and university administrators, while discussions with other groups, including students, would continue over the coming days.

“I have already met with Student Representative Councils and asked the National Student Representative Council, which represents students from all universities, to organise their own groups, whether Group A or Group B, representing those who agree and disagree, so that we can bring the views together and consider them.

“This is because I want the new law to be comprehensive,” he told reporters while visiting the Media Lounge in conjunction with the 2026 Umno General Assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here today.

He said the new law should not only take into account current needs, but also address the challenges the country may face in the future.

Zambry said this is important as the UUCA, introduced in 1971, covers various aspects of higher education institutions, including the establishment and administration of universities, as well as matters concerning students.

Against this backdrop, he said, changes in the higher education landscape and the current legal framework need to be taken into account when drafting the new law.

“I have said repeatedly that UUCA was introduced 54 years ago. There have obviously been changes, and some may say that it is no longer suitable,” he said.

In August, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would repeal UUCA in its entirety, with a Bill on the matter to be tabled in Parliament this year.

Anwar said the proposal to repeal the Act aimed to give student movements in the country greater freedom and democratic space, after taking into account memoranda and views from student leaders, who wanted comprehensive changes to the Act. — Bernama