New law replacing AUKU will not curtail students’ freedom of expression, says Zahid

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the new legislation replacing the repealed Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 will not impinge on students' freedom of expression.

The proposed law will focus on university administration and governance matters while excluding previous restrictive provisions on student activities.

He emphasized that students should not be penalized for expressing their opinions unless they involve sensitive issues related to race, religion, and the royal institution.

Additionally, Ahmad Zahid announced forthcoming enrollment for a new Department of Quantum Technology at Universiti Teknologi Mara with initial funding of RM500,000.

MELAKA, Nov 3 — The new Bill to replace the now-repealed Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) will not affect students’ freedom of expression, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said the Cabinet agreed that the proposed legislation would be limited to matters concerning university administration, including academic affairs, governance and the appointment of senate members,

Ahmad Zahid also said that the new law would also cover the selection of university management personnel, including vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors.

“The new legislation, which will carry a different name, will no longer include the seven provisions concerning students, including those on freedom, under AUKU, which restricted their freedom to engage in activities,” he said.

He was asked about the latest developments in the proposal for a new law to replace AUKU after attending the Apa Khabar Mahasiswa: Patriotisme Diperkasa programme at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Alor Gajah Campus in Melaka today.

Also present at the event was Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.

Ahmad Zahid, also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said universities should not penalise students for expressing their opinions unless their remarks involved sensitive issues relating to race, religion and the royal institution (3R).

“Under AUKU, universities did take action against students. Now that the Act has been repealed, students remain subject to existing laws, including criminal legislation.

“...if students are simply expressing differing opinions, political beliefs or the views of young people, I believe universities should welcome this rather than take legal action against them, unless their actions breach the law,” he said.

In a separate development, Ahmad Zahid said enrolment for the Department of Quantum Technology at UiTM was expected to begin next semester under a training-for-trainers concept.

“Initially, the academic staff will be sent for master’s or PhD studies, or short courses, to equip those with backgrounds in information technology and digital technology to lead the department before it is upgraded to the Faculty of Quantum Technology,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid announced earlier in October that RM500,000 would be allocated as initial funding to establish UiTM’s Department of Quantum Technology. — Bernama

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副首相拿督斯里阿末扎希哈米迪表示，取代已废除的1971年大学及大学学院法令的新立法不会侵犯学生的言论自由。

拟议的法律将侧重于大学行政和管理事务，同时排除之前对学生活动的限制性条款。

他强调，除非涉及种族、宗教和王室等敏感问题，否则不应惩罚学生表达自己的观点。

此外，艾哈迈德·扎希德宣布，玛拉工艺大学即将开设新的量子技术系，初始资金为 50 万令吉。

马六甲，11月3日讯——副首相拿督斯里阿末扎希哈米迪表示，取代现已废除的1971年大学及大学学院法令（AUKU）的新法案不会影响学生的言论自由。

他表示，内阁一致同意，拟议的立法将仅限于与大学行政管理有关的事项，包括学术事务、治理和参议院成员的任命。

艾哈迈德·扎希德还表示，新法律还将涵盖大学管理人员的选拔，包括校长和副校长。

他说：“新的立法将采用不同的名称，不再包含AUKU法案中有关学生的七项条款，包括限制学生自由的条款，这些条款限制了他们参与活动的自由。”

他今日参加马六甲玛拉工艺大学（UiTM）亚罗牙也校区的Apa Khabar Mahasiswa：Patriotisme Diperkasa课程后，被问及取代AUKU的新法律提案的最新进展。

出席活动的还有高等教育部长拿督斯里赞布里阿卜杜卡迪尔。

农村和区域发展部长艾哈迈德·扎希德表示，大学不应该因为学生表达意见而惩罚他们，除非他们的言论涉及种族、宗教和王室（3R）等敏感问题。

“根据《大学法》，大学确实会对学生采取行动。现在该法案已被废除，学生仍然受现行法律的约束，包括刑法。”

他说：“……如果学生只是表达不同的意见、政治信仰或年轻人的观点，我认为大学应该欢迎这种做法，而不是对他们采取法律行动，除非他们的行为违反了法律。”

另据报道，艾哈迈德·扎希德表示，马来西亚工艺大学量子技术系的招生预计将于下学期开始，采用“培训师培训”模式。

他说：“最初，我们将派学术人员攻读硕士或博士学位，或参加短期课程，以便让那些具有信息技术和数字技术背景的人员能够领导该系，然后再将其升级为量子技术学院。”

艾哈迈德·扎希德10月初宣布，将拨款50万令吉作为启动资金，用于成立马来西亚理科大学（UiTM）的量子技术系。——马新社

政府批准超过2.5亿令吉用于东海岸铁路扩建计划和新建哥打巴鲁巴士总站。

时尚管家案审判：法庭获悉，投资资金不得用于支付股息。

国会表示，商户若隐瞒收费，可能面临10万令吉罚款。