Gov't mulling partial repeal of UUCA - Maszlee

PARLIAMENT | The government is reviewing the possibility of repealing Sections 15 and 16 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) which curtails political freedom on campus. 

Education Minister Maszlee Malek said this when explaining to the Dewan Negara the measures being taken by the Pakatan Harapan administration to reinstate academic autonomy and political freedom in universities.

"As a long-term measure, UUCA will be abolished and replaced with other laws.

"But as a short-term measure, the contents of Section 15 and Section 16 of UUCA are being studied for the possibility of repeal," he said. 

The partial repeal, Maszlee said, will grant students freedom of speech on campus. 

Section 15 of UUCA bars students from participating in political activity and allows the university to suspend the student for the offence.

Section 16, meanwhile, allows vice-chancellors to suspend or dissolve any campus organisation, body or group of students. 

When met at the lobby later, Maszlee said the Education Ministry was engaging with various stakeholders, including university students, in the repeal process. 

"I am waiting to meet the students because I want input from them," he said. 

However, the minister declined to state when his ministry would table the UUCA amendments in the Dewan Rakyat.

[More to follow] - Mkini