The proposed new law to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) will not curtail students' freedom of expression, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Tuesday (November 3), according to Malay Mail.
Scope of the legislation
Zahid said the Cabinet agreed that the proposed legislation would be limited to matters concerning university administration. These include academic affairs, governance and the appointment of senate members. In other words, the new law is meant to deal with how universities are run rather than with students' rights to express themselves.
Why AUKU matters
AUKU has been a long-debated piece of legislation in Malaysia, with student groups and academics raising concerns over the years about its effect on campus activism and university autonomy. Any replacement is therefore likely to be watched closely by students, lecturers and civil society groups. The excerpt reviewed does not provide a timeline for tabling the new bill or the full list of provisions, so those details remain to be confirmed.
What to watch
The key questions will be how the final draft defines university governance, how senate appointments are made, and whether the bill contains safeguards for student expression and academic freedom. Readers can follow Parliament's order papers and Education Ministry statements for updates once a draft is tabled.
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