Malaysia plans unified higher education law to overhaul polytechnics and pre-university programmes

In a Minister's Question Time address, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir outlined plans for a One Higher Education Act that would bring polytechnics, matriculation schemes and other tertiary institutions under a single legal umbrella. He explained that the government is reviewing the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 along with the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996, the Education Act 1996 and several other statutes to create a cohesive framework.

Zambry stressed that polytechnics have changed dramatically and should no longer be treated as before, and that pre-university programmes must be accommodated within the new law. He also acknowledged concerns about academic freedom and the constitutional sensitivities linked to Universiti Teknologi Mara. The Cabinet, on 19 August, agreed that the repeal of the old act must be orderly to avoid disrupting public universities, and the new bill will be tabled once drafting is complete, forming part of the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026-2035.