Students form national movement to abolish UUCA

 

A group of university students from various public and private institutions today announced the formation of a national-level body to demand the abolition of the University and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA).

The establishment of the Abolish UUCA secretariat (Sekretariat Mansuh Auku) was announced at a press conference in Petaling Jaya, attended by students from various student organisations across the country.

To date, the coalition is claimed to consist of about 50 students from more than 30 organisations.

Liga Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya president Alyaah Hani Anuar said the secretariat was formed following their disappointment with the government's refusal to abolish UUCA, despite past promises to reform the higher education sector.

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“UUCA is used as an excuse by university administrations to suppress students who speak critically, whether on political or non-political issues.

“This is unacceptable, especially when today’s government leaders themselves once championed its abolition,” she said.

Memo to MPs

As an initial step, Alyaah said, the Abolish UUCA secretariat will submit a memorandum to MPs next week to state their official position and demands regarding academic freedom, freedom of speech, and university autonomy.

The secretariat stressed that immediate action must be taken once the memorandum is submitted, given that the issue of abolishing UUCA has dragged on for too long without any concrete solution.

Among the organisations involved in the Abolish UUCA Secretariat are the Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia, Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Semalaysia (Gamis), University of Malaya New Youth (Umany), and Demokrat UKM from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Also providing support are students from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, International Islamic University Malaysia, and Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

Alyaah stressed that discussions regarding the abolition of UUCA have taken place for years without any clear results, causing students to continue facing restrictions and pressure.

Meanwhile, Alyaah said the secretariat also expressed its intention to expand the movement by attracting more students from institutions of higher learning within the country.

She also said the secretariat wants universities to be spaces for free and critical discourse, and rejects any laws deemed to restrict the student voice and academic freedom.

“The government needs to show political commitment by initiating immediate steps towards the abolition of UUCA,” she said. - Mkini