Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said all disciplinary action previously taken against university students over freedom of expression issues would be dropped.
However, he stressed that students would still be subject to national laws if they were involved in serious offences.
“All disciplinary action taken so far will be dropped. If there are serious matters involving them, then they will be subject to the laws of the country,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Zambry was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) on the extent to which university students would be free from disciplinary action when criticising the government.
On Aug 28, the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) ordered all disciplinary proceedings at public universities involving freedom of speech, expression of views, public criticism and peaceful assemblies to be stopped immediately.
The move followed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s push to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU).
Zambry said the repeal of AUKU must be carried out in a structured and phased manner to prevent legal gaps that could disrupt the governance and operations of public universities.
He said the need to reform the higher education legal framework had already been highlighted under the Malaysia Higher Education Plan (RPTM) 2026-2035, including a proposal to develop a One Higher Education Act (OHEA).
He added that the Cabinet decided on Aug 19 that the repeal of AUKU must be carried out in an orderly, comprehensive and careful manner, as the law currently provides the legal basis for the establishment, administration and governance of public universities.
Meanwhile, Zambry said MOHE plans to table proposed amendments to Sections 15 and 16 of AUKU in Parliament this December.
He said the amendments would serve as an interim measure to give students greater space to speak, assemble and participate in student activities responsibly, while ensuring campus wellbeing and harmony are maintained.
