SHAH ALAM, 26 JANUARY, 2012: The Amendment Committee of the University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971 has now entered the final draft to amend the Section 15 before being presented in Parliament next March, said the committee’s chairman Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod.

However, according to professor, the Higher Education Ministry is still open to feedbacks from the public on the amendments.

Prof Nik Ahmad Kamal who is also Deputy Rector of Student Affairs and Alumni of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said, based on the feedbacks received, majority feels that AUKU is still relevant and should not be eliminated entirely, though it requires some amendments.

"The committee will present the draft to the government. It depends on the government whether it wants to accept it or not. I have no personal interest, "he said when met by reporters after the ‘Wacana: Masih Relevankah AUKU’ organized by Sinar Harian newspaper today.

He said the committee has also been looking at some of the relevant sections in the AUKU to ensure that it is consistent with the changes that will be made to Section 15.

"If there are sections relating to Section 15, we have to amend it also. We must see it as a whole, but of course the focus remains on the Section 15, "he said.

The provisions under Section 15(5)(a), which disallows students from expressing support for parties and participating in politics. However, many argue that it is unconstitutional as Article 119 of Federal Constitution specifically states that every citizen above the age of 21 is qualified to vote, which is a form of expression and participation in politics.

- mD