STUDENT leaders have expressed disappointment with Putrajaya for not abolishing the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971 despite having spoken up against the legislation when it opposition previously.

They told The Malaysian Insight it was shocking that Pakatan Harapan (PH) would now backtrack on its promise to get rid of the Act.

Their dismay came after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently said certain clauses in UUCA would be amended, stressing the law is relevant due to current needs.

“In my opinion, what was raised about the Act is important. The law is a provision of freedom in the university, or academic freedom, for lecturers to write, state their opinions, and criticise certain matters. There are several other important provisions.

“Some people want it abolished, but I don’t think that’s necessary. We can amend some provisions to make them clearer,” Anwar had said during a dialogue session with the Universiti Teknologi Mara Student Representative Council.

International Islamic University Malaysia student union president Aliff Naim Mohd Fizam lambasted the government’s failure to fulfil the promise.

He, however, hoped Putrajaya would not backtrack on its pledge to amend several oppressive clauses in the Act.

“We have fought for this for a long time. Many of us, including former leaders, have gone to the streets demanding that UUCA be abolished,” Aliff said.

“I am disappointed with the decision but I really do hope that they meant what they said about replacing oppressive sections in the Act.

“For example, section 15 of the Act must go. Give autonomy to students to manage their own finances. Do not give the minister absolute power to appoint university chancellors or vice chancellors.”

In February, Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the Act was still relevant especially for matters related to university administration, adding that the repeal of UUCA will affect the governance of public universities, especially during its transitional period.

In the last general election, PH Youth promised to abolish UUCA, which prevented tertiary students from joining political movements.

On February 7, Tanah Rata assemblyman Ho Chi Yang urged the government to repeal UUCA to institutionally guarantee student autonomy in universities.

Universiti Malaya Students’ Union deputy president Arvin Kumar Mohan said as long as UUCA exists, students will still be shackled.

He said no matter what the excuse is, UUCA must be fully scrapped.

“Table a new bill. UM once had its own Universiti Malaya Act 1961. Former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik had drafted a Higher Education Act when he was in the cabinet.

“With UUCA, there is no freedom for students to participate in any activity. We will still be handcuffed,” Arvin said.

Opposition to continue

Muda’s Nurainie Haziqah Shafii said the party would continue to speak on behalf of the people.

“Muda will represent the voice of the people.”

The former Srikandi PKR chief said the opposition was the force behind the “Mansuh AUKU” movement therefore, it should get rid of the Act while still in power.

“When they were not in power, they had championed the cause. Now that they are in power they want to keep UUCA.

“This is nonsensical. You should act when you have the power. You shouldn’t run away from your promise. As for Muda, we will continue to oppose,” she added.

In March 2018, a group of students marched to Parliament to demand the abolishment of UUCA.

They tried to enter the Parliament compound but police stopped them.

The group then gathered on the road outside while holding up placards calling for the Act to be abolished, chanting “Hidup, hidup mahasiswa. Hancur hancur kezaliman” (Long live university students. Crush tyranny).

The protesters, led by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia student Asheeq Ali, stood in the rain for about two hours before DAP’s Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim arranged for four representatives to enter Parliament to meet then opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Later, Asheeq told reporters they had delivered their message to Wan Azizah. They also met an aide to former higher education minister Idris Jusoh. – April 17, 2023.