Pakatan Harapan is seeking to repeal the University and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) because Malaysians are more mature now, according to the coalition's chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"Now, the people are more mature and understand. I think we no longer need this law," said the former premier in his weekly "policy talk" live video stream on his Facebook page this morning.

Mahathir said the law had intended, among others, to discourage students from taking part in non-academic activities in order for them to focus on their studies.

Should Harapan succeed in abolishing the law, Mahathir said the onus would then be on parents to monitor their childrens' performance.