UM students' groups revive call to abolish UUCA

Two Universiti Malaya students’ groups submitted a list of four demands today for the Higher Education Ministry, including the abolishment of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971.

Representatives from Suara Siswa and Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) were present in Parliament today, accompanied by Raub MP Chow Yu Hui and Bakri MP Tan Hong Pin.

Umany chairperson Lim Jing Jet said while the UUCA was amended during the last Dewan Rakyat session, no guidelines have been issued so far for student groups to proceed with opening a bank account as now permitted under the law.

“Today, Suara Siswa and Umany stand here to state our stand demanding the government to expedite the announcement on amended details under Section 17(1) UUCA.

“Dewan Negara passed the amendments in April, but to date, no guideline has been issued on how to manage a students’ group’s account, as promised under the amendment,” he said.

As a result, Lim (above) said students’ groups remain unable to open a bank account under their name, going against the spirit of financial autonomy promised under the reforms.

Further, he said Suara Siswa and Umany urged the government to revive a technical committee to review a complete repeal of UUCA.

“Even with the amendments, the continued existence of UUCA will still erode students and campus autonomy.

“We call for the committee to comprise legal experts, student activists, social activists and other relevant experts,” said Lim.

Beyond demands on UUCA, the two groups also urged the Universiti Malaya management to abolish a “zero balance” policy that requires first-year students to settle their tuition fees even prior to receiving their student loans; as well as to review subsidies removal for students from high-income families.

Chow, who also received the students’ memorandum, said he earlier accompanied the groups to meet with representatives from the Higher Education Ministry.

Both Chow and Tan also said they would raise the related issues in their debates on the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat.

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