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KUALA LUMPUR – University student movement Gerakan Mahasiswa today submitted a memorandum to MPs from the government bloc to demand the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act (Auku) 1971.
The memorandum was handed over by Universiti Malaya Students’ Union deputy secretary-general V. Dhurgesswaran to Raub MP Chow Yu Hui at the Parliament building today.
“It is time for us to introduce a new act to replace Auku as the basis and framework for student activism that is more progressive, fair, balanced, and sustainable in line with the transformation in our country,” he said.
In a recent Parliament session, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said it did not intend to abolish Auku but was open to any amendment to the act.
Also present at the handing over of the memorandum were Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, Tan Kar Hing (Gopeng), Young Syefura Othman (Bentong), Chiew Choon Man (Miri), and Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (Sg Petani).
At the same time, Yii said his team has been in contact with the Higher Education Ministry and will bring the students’ demands today to find common ground.
The memorandum involved student representatives from 12 local institutions of higher learning including the International Islamic University Malaysia Student Union, Suara Siswa Universiti Malaya, Suara Siswa Universiti Utara Malaysia, Demokrat UniSZA, and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Student Representative Council. – Bernama, March 8, 2023
