Zambry: New Higher Education Law to replace AUKU will be more comprehensive

THE Higher Education Ministry is preparing a comprehensive new legal framework to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), with the initiative already incorporated into the Malaysia Higher Education Plan (RPTM) 2026-2035.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said the plan, known as the One Higher Education Act, was intended to modernise the country’s higher education legislation and ensure it remained relevant to the needs of universities and students.

"Therefore, I take note of the announcement by the Prime Minister regarding his statement on abolishing AUKU during his presidential policy address at the 2026 KEADILAN National Congress," he said in a statement on Saturday.

Zambry stressed that AUKU was not simply legislation governing student affairs or student freedoms, but served as the principal legal framework for the establishment, administration and governance of universities and university colleges.

"AUKU is not merely an Act that regulates student affairs or student freedom. It is the principal Act that forms the basis for the establishment, administration and governance of universities and university colleges.

"Therefore, its abolition must be followed by a new legal framework that is more comprehensive, progressive and suited to the needs of higher education today and in the future," he said.

He said the process would be carried out inclusively and comprehensively, with the ministry taking into account the views of all relevant stakeholders.

These would include university leaders, academics, public and private higher education institutions, industry representatives, polytechnics and community colleges (POLYCC), TVET providers, legal experts, students and other relevant parties.

Zambry said the objective went beyond simply repealing AUKU, with the Government seeking to establish a comprehensive and forward-looking legal framework for the higher education sector.

The new framework would strengthen institutional autonomy, academic freedom and student voices, while ensuring governance, accountability and excellence in higher education institutions continued to be upheld.

He said the initiative formed part of the broader transformation of Malaysia’s higher education system under the RPTM 2026-2035.

The transformation, he added, was aimed at ensuring Malaysia’s higher education system remained relevant and dynamic while being equipped to respond effectively to changes in the global education landscape. - August 15, 2026