BUKIT MERTAJAM, Aug 28 — The repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) is aimed at giving students greater freedom to express themselves while fostering creativity and critical thinking, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Students should be encouraged to voice their views and debate issues openly, while recognising that their opinions may not always be right.
“In 1971, the government imposed restrictions on students’ freedom. But I say, they are already 18 and can vote, so why restrict them?
“Why did I announce the complete abolition of the AUKU...to give our young people the space to speak freely, because I want them to develop creativity, judgement, and critical thinking,” he said.
Anwar was responding to a question from a student interested in entering politics during a Temu Anwar session held in conjunction with the Sahabat MADANI Ambang Merdeka programme at the Tuanku Bainun Institute of Teacher Education campus today.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek was also present.
He added that the decision to repeal AUKU was intended to ensure university students were no longer constrained and had room to develop mature, independent thinking.
Freedom of expression is crucial in nurturing knowledgeable future leaders capable of making judgements based on facts rather than sentiment.
Anwar said that political leaders, in particular, should educate the public based on facts and knowledge instead of exploiting racial sentiment.
In this regard, he advised young people pursuing a political career to have the “courage of conviction” to stand by principles grounded in knowledge and belief.
Politics can be an honourable profession when treated as a responsibility to serve society, but it can become corrupt when used for personal gain.
“It is an honourable profession if you make it honourable. It is a dirty, corrupt profession if you tend to be influenced by those who are blatantly corrupt.
“So, if you are talking about your society, your community, your nation, make sure that you enter politics and work because you love this country and you believe in the future of this country,” Anwar said.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Department's Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU PMO) said the Temu Anwar session brought together 800 young people, comprising 400 Form Five students, 277 Form Six students and 123 students from the Tuanku Bainun Campus IPG.
“The interactive session with the Prime Minister gave young people an opportunity to engage directly, share their views and ideas, and gain insights into their role in national development,” it said in a statement.
Earlier, 400 Form Five students from 10 schools around Permatang Pauh attended the MADANI Youth Tuition Programme, which provided coaching in History and Mathematics ahead of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.
The programme, organised by ICU PMO in collaboration with the Education Ministry, also included a motivational session for the Form Five and Form Six students preparing for their respective SPM and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia examinations.
Ten students also received Sejahtera MADANI-Education assistance as part of the government’s efforts to support the local education community.
