Budget 2027: Government halts public university disciplinary proceedings relating to free speech

The government has halted disciplinary proceedings at public universities related to freedom of speech, public criticism, and peaceful assembly with immediate effect.

A new legal framework is being prepared to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, aiming to enhance university autonomy and student rights.

While certain disciplinary proceedings are stopped, cases of violence, vandalism, and criminal offences will still be addressed under current laws.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — The government has halted disciplinary proceedings at public universities relating to freedom of speech, expression of views, public criticism and peaceful assembly with immediate effect.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Higher Education Ministry was preparing a comprehensive legal framework to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA), covering university autonomy, academic freedom and student rights.

“With immediate effect, all disciplinary proceedings at public universities relating to freedom of speech, expression of views, public criticism and peaceful assembly have been halted,” Anwar told the Parliament today during the tabling of the Budget 2027.

Enacted in 1971, AUKU provides the legal framework for the establishment, administration and governance of public universities. It has long faced criticism over restrictions on student activism and political participation.

The Act was tightened through amendments in 1975 following a wave of student activism, giving university authorities greater powers over student activities and disciplinary action.

Subsequent amendments relaxed some restrictions. Changes in 2012 allowed students to participate in political party activities outside campus, while amendments in 2024 transferred disciplinary decisions involving public university students from vice-chancellors to student disciplinary committees.

Despite these changes, student groups continued to call for the Act’s repeal, arguing that it restricted student freedom and participation in public affairs.

Anwar announced in August that the government would repeal AUKU, assuring students that the move would not be followed by new laws that similarly restrict student movements.

The Higher Education Ministry subsequently announced that disciplinary proceedings at public universities relating to freedom of expression, public criticism and peaceful assembly would be stopped immediately while work on the new legal framework continued.

However, the ministry said cases involving violence, vandalism, criminal offences, academic misconduct and breaches of legitimate disciplinary rules would remain subject to existing laws and regulations.

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政府已立即停止对公立大学有关言论自由、公开批评和和平集会的纪律处分程序。

一项新的法律框架正在制定中，旨在取代 1971 年的《大学和大学学院法》，以增强大学的自主权和学生的权利。

虽然某些纪律处分程序已经停止，但暴力、破坏公物和刑事犯罪案件仍将按照现行法律进行处理。

吉隆坡，10月9日讯——政府已立即停止对公立大学有关言论自由、表达观点、公开批评和和平集会的纪律处分程序。

首相拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣表示，高等教育部正在制定一套全面的法律框架，以取代1971年的《大学和大学学院法令》（UUCA），该框架涵盖大学自治、学术自由和学生权利。

安华今天在国会提交2027年财政预算案时表示：“即日起，公立大学所有与言论自由、表达观点、公开批评和和平集会有关的纪律处分程序均已停止。”

《大学法》（AUKU）于1971年颁布，为公立大学的设立、管理和治理提供了法律框架。长期以来，该法因限制学生积极参与社会活动和政治活动而备受诟病。

1975 年，在学生运动浪潮之后，该法案通过修正案进行了加强，赋予大学当局对学生活动和纪律处分更大的权力。

后续的修正案放宽了一些限制。2012年的修正案允许学生参加校外政党活动，而2024年的修正案则将涉及公立大学学生的纪律处分决定权从副校长移交给了学生纪律委员会。

尽管做出了这些改变，学生团体仍然呼吁废除该法案，认为该法案限制了学生的自由和参与公共事务的权利。

安华在8月份宣布政府将废除《学生行动法》，并向学生保证，此举不会出台类似限制学生行动的新法律。

高等教育部随后宣布，在新的法律框架制定工作继续进行的同时，公立大学与言论自由、公开批评和和平集会相关的纪律处分程序将立即停止。

然而，教育部表示，涉及暴力、破坏公物、刑事犯罪、学术不端行为和违反合法纪律规定的案件仍将受现行法律法规的约束。

2027年财政预算案：高等教育部获得191亿令吉拨款，其中8亿令吉用于大学设施升级。

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