Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls for abolition of colonial-era university laws

KUALA LUMPUR, PERMATANG PAUH, UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA’S PENANG CAMPUS, 29 AUGUST 2026 —

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday that colonial‑era statutes that limit university students’ freedom of expression and activity should be repealed, calling the move essential to realise the full meaning of Malaysia’s independence.

The prime minister’s remarks came after he announced last week that the government would scrap the university regulations that restrict student activities. “Older people are not always right either, so we should not prevent young people from speaking out or taking part in activities just because they make mistakes. They need to be given space,” Anwar said.

He stressed that freedom does not imply the absence of limits, noting that Malaysia remains a nation governed by the rule of law. “I do not agree with adding laws to restrict or intimidate university students. This is an independent country, and laws inherited from the colonial past must be abolished,” he said.

Anwar framed the proposed repeal as part of a broader vision of independence that goes beyond the end of physical colonisation. He argued that true independence also requires giving people the space to determine the nation’s future. “Young people should learn from the history of the struggle for independence and build on it by helping Malaysia achieve greater progress and earn greater respect internationally,” he said.

The prime minister’s call for reform targets statutes that date back to the British colonial period and that continue to govern student conduct on university campuses. According to Anwar, these inherited laws constrain the ability of students to organise, protest and engage in public discourse, thereby limiting the development of a confident, responsible younger generation.

He said that removing such constraints would help nurture a generation that can express themselves confidently, act responsibly and contribute to Malaysia’s development as an independent nation.

Anwar’s comments were delivered to an audience that included university staff, students and community leaders gathered for the Madani event. The setting at UiTM’s Penang campus underscored the relevance of the issue to higher‑education institutions, which have long been subject to the colonial‑era regulations. By addressing the crowd directly, the prime minister signalled the government’s intent to move swiftly on the legislative changes he announced the previous week.

The prime minister’s emphasis on “trusting young people” reflects a policy stance that seeks to shift from a punitive approach to one that encourages constructive engagement. He said that mistakes made by students should be addressed through “the appropriate channels where necessary,” suggesting that disciplinary measures would remain but would be applied within a framework that respects student rights.

This approach, he argued, would help develop a younger generation that can contribute positively to national development.

Anwar concluded by linking the repeal of the colonial statutes to Malaysia’s broader aspirations on the international stage. He said that giving youth the freedom to participate fully in public life would help the country achieve greater progress and earn greater respect internationally. The prime minister’s remarks therefore combine a domestic policy initiative with a vision of enhanced global standing for Malaysia.

The announcement marks the latest step in the government’s agenda to modernise the legal framework governing higher education. While the prime minister did not provide a timetable for the repeal, his statements indicate that the process will follow the earlier announcement made last week.

The next phase will involve legislative action to remove the colonial‑era university laws, after which universities are expected to operate under a revised set of regulations that grant students broader freedoms while maintaining the rule of law.

Related: Anwar Ibrahim