Summary
- The Higher Education Ministry has begun immediate measures towards repealing the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971.
- Restrictions on student speech, associations, activities and peaceful assemblies are being targeted for exemptions.
- Public universities must immediately stop disciplinary proceedings involving peaceful expression, criticism and assembly.
- Criminal acts, violence, vandalism, property damage and academic misconduct remain subject to existing laws.
PUTRAJAYA, September 2 — Malaysia’s Higher Education Ministry has announced immediate measures to expand student freedoms while work continues towards repealing the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, or AUKU.
The ministry identified provisions restricting student associations, activities, speech, communication, publications and peaceful assemblies for exemption under the existing legal framework.
All public universities have been instructed to immediately halt disciplinary proceedings involving freedom of expression, public criticism and peaceful assembly.
The changes do not protect violence, vandalism, criminal offences, property damage or academic misconduct. Similar rules governing students at IIUM and UiTM, which are outside AUKU, will also be reviewed.
