University leaders welcome Auku abolishment, call for balance between freedom, accountability

17 Aug 2026

New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's plan to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku) has been welcomed by public university leaders as a transformative step towards strengthening institutional autonomy, governance and academic freedom.

They said the move demonstrated the government's commitment to comprehensive reform of the higher education ecosystem, while stressing that any new legal framework must strike a clear balance between freedom and accountability.

"The development of a new framework through an inclusive process that takes into account the views of various stakeholders is a welcome step," she said in a statement today.

She added that greater freedom must be accompanied by responsibility, with freedom of expression grounded in facts and respect, while financial autonomy and student activities remain underpinned by transparency.

Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) vice-chancellor Professor Dr Yatimah Alias said the abolishment should be viewed in a broader context, as the legislation governs university establishment, administration and overall governance alongside student affairs.
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) vice-chancellor Professor Dr Yatimah Alias said the abolishment should be viewed in a broader context, as the legislation governs university establishment, administration and overall governance alongside student affairs.
Meanwhile, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) rector Professor Emeritus Datuk Seri Dr Osman Bakar said the move would give students greater scope to develop mature thinking, strengthen leadership potential and participate constructively in society.

"For IIUM, greater freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility, intellectual integrity and concern for the common good. Students should be given space to critically assess and debate current issues based on knowledge and wisdom," he said.

He said this aspiration aligns with IIUM's commitment to Tawhidic Epistemology and the concept of Ummatic Excellence to produce graduates of strong character and intellectual capability.

Echoing this, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) and acting vice-chancellor Prof Dr Suriyani Muhamad described the repeal as a "golden opportunity" to clarify public university accountability.

"The new framework must establish a clear balance between autonomy and accountability, freedom and responsibility, as well as innovation and good governance," she said.

She noted that legal reform aligns with the Malaysia Higher Education Plan (2026–2035), which emphasises transformation, excellence and resilience in higher education.

"Reforming university legislation is part of a broader effort to ensure higher education institutions remain relevant, competitive and responsive to future changes and demands," she said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) voiced support for the Higher Education Ministry's efforts to develop a comprehensive legal framework under the "One Higher Education Act" agenda.

UTeM expressed readiness to work closely with the ministry in stakeholder engagements, stressing the need for a thorough review of the higher education ecosystem.

"This is important to ensure higher education institutions continue to serve as centres of knowledge and civilisation, while playing a role in producing a generation capable of contributing to national and societal development at the international level," it said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his presidential policy speech at the 2026 PKR National Congress yesterday, announced that the government would abolish Auku to provide student movements greater freedom and democratic space.s