Prime Minister Anwar pledges no prosecutions for student criticism and vows to scrap restrictive university law
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told students at iFUTURE 2026 that criticizing the government will not lead to prosecution and called for the removal of limiting provisions in the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971.
During the iFUTURE 2026 conference at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim assured students that voicing criticism of the government will not result in legal action. He called on Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and deputy Adam Adli Abd Halim to promptly revise or eliminate the restrictive clauses of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971. Anwar stressed that young people should act as society's moral watchdog against corruption and injustice, and that mistakes are part of learning for both students and leaders.
He noted Malaysia's high budget allocation to education and its stance against racism and religious bigotry, asserting that societal problems stem from corrupt individuals rather than ethnic or religious divisions. The prime minister invited participants to submit suggestions for improving the education system, emphasizing that Malaysia should feel like a second home to international students.
Why it matters
The pledge could reshape Malaysia's higher-education landscape and strengthen freedom of expression for students.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCentrist coverage frames the Prime Minister's speech as a rallying call for youth leadership and moral guidance, while right-leaning coverage emphasizes his pledge to halt prosecutions for student criticism and to repeal the restrictive university law, adding details on education funding and anti-racism stance.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents the speech as an inspirational appeal for young people to lead now and act as society's moral compass.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage highlights the Prime Minister's concrete promises to protect student critics, repeal the 1971 university law, and underscores education spending and anti-racism commitments.
The right emphasises
- no prosecutions for student criticism
- scrap restrictive clauses of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971
- high budget allocation to education and stance against racism and religious bigotry
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