STUDENTS’ groups should be consulted before a new law is drawn up to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA), said student activist Anis Syafiqah Md Yusof.

Anis, who has been a strong critic of the UUCA, welcomed the announcement by Pakatan Harapan’s new Education Minister Maszlee Malik that the act will be abolished, paving the way for greater political participation among university students.

“We are glad that PH and Maszlee are committed to fulfill the pledge to do away with UUCA,” she said.

“Even Maszlee himself said he had been a victim of the act. With his background and personal experience with UUCA, I believe he understands very well what reforms are necessary,” she told Malaysia Decides.

Maszlee, who was sworn in as education minister yesterday, was formerly an International Islamic University Malaysia assistant professor before he joined Bersatu and won the Simpang Renggam parliamentary constituency in the 14th general election.

As an academician, he said he was also a victim of UUCA, which critics say have been used to restrain political and academic freedom of students and lecturers.

“If the government plans an alternative to UUCA, student groups should be allowed to give their input,” said Anis.

“We think that under this new government, there is better opportunity for students to air their views on laws and policies that affect them.”

The UUCA was first enacted in 1971, but was amended in 2012 to allow students to participate in political activities held outside university grounds. – May 22, 2018.