KUALA LUMPUR — Students should take advantage of the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) to voice their views more openly and champion the interests of the younger generation, said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said while students had previously faced restrictions on movements involving political parties or clubs, both locally and overseas, the latest development surrounding AUKU had created greater opportunities for young people to participate actively and freely, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid said the newfound space should be used to strengthen UMNOSiswa and the overseas Umno clubs as platforms to highlight student concerns and aspirations.
“With the amendment or repeal of AUKU, if there are no restrictions for students in the country to move within Umno, we will strengthen and reinforce the overseas clubs as well as UMNOSiswa,” he said in his speech at a meet-and-greet session with overseas UMNO club representatives and UMNOSiswa members here today.
The Deputy Prime Minister said youth voices were crucial in helping leaders understand the challenges faced by students, including their views on the country’s political future and ways to improve the political system.
On Aug 15, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government would repeal AUKU to provide greater freedom and democratic space for student movements in the country.
On Aug 26, Anwar also instructed that any disciplinary action against students imposed solely for expressing criticism or academic views be withdrawn immediately.
Meanwhile, Newcastle Overseas Umno Club president Muhammad Amir Ikram Mohd Fadil, 23, described the repeal of AUKU as an opportunity for students to raise issues they face more openly.
He said there were previously certain limitations on students involved in clubs or organisations using UMNO’s name, including when expressing views on government policies.
“Perhaps there are some matters that are sensitive, but those sensitive matters are sometimes related to government policies. Whereas the matters I raised in my speech were actually problems that are happening.
“So, with the absence of these restrictions, I think this is an opportunity for students to speak more openly and allow the problems happening out there to be heard,” he told Bernama.
Muhammad Amir said students must also use the freedom responsibly by gaining a comprehensive understanding of issues before expressing their views.
“I hope they study properly, do not immediately complain over a small problem as if the government has done nothing. AUKU no longer has restrictions, we can say anything, but we need to know how to express ourselves, and understand the process and system,” he said.
He said the overseas Umno clubs also served as a platform to connect Malaysian communities abroad and ensure their views could be conveyed to the relevant parties.
Muhammad Amir added that 57 representatives from Egypt, Jordan, the United Kingdom, Russia and Indonesia took part in this year’s gathering, marking the largest participation recorded by the overseas Umno clubs. – September 10, 2026