Higher Education Minister says new Auku Act may miss next parliamentary session

At the closing ceremony of the University Research & Innovation Investment Summit 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir said the Auku Act revision requires broad, detailed discussion. He noted that the Special Select Committee chaired by Saifuddin Abdullah is gathering feedback on the draft, which contains 44 sections, only seven of which relate directly to students. The remaining sections address university creation, administration and academic affairs, prompting involvement from the government, opposition and university administrators.

While a first reading is targeted for October, Zambry cautioned that if October proves unfeasible, the legislation may be deferred to the next parliamentary session. The upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting from 5 October to 8 December will focus on the 2027 budget, and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that the Auku Act will be repealed after recent amendments failed to satisfy student concerns.