UUCA repeal: Academics call for university autonomy, student safeguards

 

The repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) will only be meaningful if it is accompanied by changes to university administrative culture, including stronger institutional autonomy and guarantees for academic freedom and diversity of views, according to two academicians.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) senior lecturer Romzi Ationg said academic freedom must be supported by clear guidelines distinguishing it from academic responsibility.

“Academic freedom must be guaranteed through university autonomy, protection of differing views, and clear guidelines distinguishing academic freedom, student activism, and disciplinary violations within a mature and responsible democratic environment,” he told Bernama today.

He said students should be free to criticise the government, university policies, and political leaders based on facts and in a respectful manner without fear of disciplinary action.

However, he said such freedom must be accompanied by responsibility, including compliance with the law, maintaining public order, and avoiding defamation, incitement, and threats to national security.

Romzi said that following the repeal of the UUCA, the limits of student freedom should not be determined unilaterally by the government or university administrations, but should instead be guided by clear laws, human rights principles, and reasonable academic regulations.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah

He said checks and balances should be strengthened through genuinely autonomous university governance bodies, independent appeal procedures, and transparent complaints mechanisms, while student representation was essential to ensuring fairness and accountability.

“The repeal of UUCA does not necessarily mean unrestricted political freedom. Students should be allowed to engage in politics inside and outside campus, but remain subject to general laws, security regulations, and academic principles.

“What is important is that such limits must be reasonable, clear, consistent, and not used to silence criticism, in order to strengthen the country’s democracy,” Romzi said.

Call for guarantee of university autonomy

Meanwhile, UMS political analyst Syahruddin Awang Ahmad said a comprehensive repeal of the UUCA had the potential to dismantle an autocratic administrative structure long criticised for restricting freedom of expression, particularly among university students.

However, he said the effectiveness of the move would depend largely on the formulation of a new and transparent higher education law, rather than simply rebranding the existing legislation.

University lecture hall

This should include guarantees for academic freedom among lecturers and students, as well as a clear separation between executive powers and the appointment of university leaders, he said.

Syahruddin said full autonomy should be given to university senates to manage academic affairs, research, and the publication of scholarly work without political interference, while guarantees for academic career security and the right to express fact-based views should be enshrined in law.

“This holistic approach is necessary to ensure intellectual freedom continues to thrive within the campus ecosystem, rather than focusing narrowly on political freedom on campus alone,” he said.

Syahruddin said the government and university administrations should also amend university statutes so that differences of opinion were addressed through intellectual discourse rather than disciplinary action.

He said fair legal protection was important to nurture a generation of students who were mature, confident in critical thinking, and capable of contributing constructive ideas to national development.

To ensure student movements remained free from political interference by the government and university administrations, Syahruddin said comprehensive, clear, and focused checks and balances should be established at both university and ministry levels.

“The key step is to establish a Students’ Union that is legally and financially independent of university management and fully managed by students through transparent elections. I propose that the government establish an ‘Independent Student Tribunal’ or ‘Higher Education Ombudsman’ specifically to handle and resolve disciplinary disputes fairly and without prejudice,” he said.

Students welcome move, urge responsible use

UMS Faculty of Tropical Forestry student Sharmina Ibno Hasim, 21, said the repeal of UUCA would allow students to express their views more openly.

“Previously, as students, we were bound by the Act, and I hope that after this we will be able to voice our views to ensure that the education system in our country continues to develop,” she said.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Another student, Sharoll Swine Edward, 22, welcomed the announcement, particularly for students who had previously been vocal on various issues.

“However, we hope the repeal of this Act will not be misused by students... students should not take advantage of it to express inappropriate views after the Act is repealed,” she said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government would repeal the UUCA to provide greater freedom and democratic space for student movements, with the matter to be brought to the cabinet next Wednesday.

Following the announcement, Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir said a more comprehensive higher education legislative framework to replace the UUCA had been outlined in the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035.

He said the effort was part of the “One Higher Education Act” agenda launched in January.

- Bernama