Adam Adli to meet with higher education minister on UUCA

 

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim today said he will be meeting with Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin to discuss calls for the government to repeal the University and Universities Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA).

“The meeting has been arranged within this week to bring up related issues, including as highlighted in a memorandum by the students’ group,” Adam (above) told Malaysiakini.

“My personal view on UUCA remains consistent, but as a member of the administration, we’re collectively responsible for the government’s policies.

“I’m confident the Higher Education Ministry understands the current dynamics and there is room for such views (on the repeal of UUCA) to be heard and scrutinised,” said the PKR Youth chief, whose claim to fame includes as a former student activist.

Meanwhile, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said he was earlier present outside Parliament together with several other Harapan MPs and received a memorandum from student groups led by the Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany).

The Muar MP reiterated his support for the students’ call to repeal UUCA and reminded the government of how the law had been used to restrict freedom of speech in universities.

Last week, Khaled said Harapan’s GE15 pledge to abolish UUCA will not be fulfilled as the law was still relevant, especially in the administration of universities.

He told the Dewan Rakyat that the process of abolishing the law required further studies because it will involve other laws such as the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996, Education Act 1996, and Statutory Bodies (Discipline And Surcharge) Act 2000, among others.

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However, Khaled also said that the government was open to improving the UUCA and was constantly engaging stakeholders.

Currently, the UUCA grants powers to the minister in charge to decide on key appointments for universities such as the vice-chancellor’s post.

Critics claimed that this law undermines the autonomy of universities as it allows ministers to appoint vice-chancellors without considering merit.

The second Dr Mahathir Mohamad administration (2018-2020) had plans to abolish the UUCA and replace it with a new law by 2020 but its tenure was cut short. - Mkini