The Federal Constitution and Specific Legislations Relating to Education in Malaysia and their Relationship to Academic Freedom
Abstract
Academic freedom is fundamental to the formation of a knowledge society. It is a form of freedom that needs to be upheld and strengthened to ensure that the the delivery of knowledge can continue to be implemented transparently and openly. However, this freedom has become a hot topic of discussion in society because there are restrictions against the development of knowledge which lead to non-sustainability of the educational sector. The Federal Constitution, the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 (Act 605), the University and University Colleges Act 1971 (Act 30), Education Act 1996 (Act 550), Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555), National Council on Higher Education Act 1996 (Act 546), Malaysian Qualifications Agency Act 2007 (Act 679) and the constitutions of the various universities are among the series of important statutes that need to be debated in detail, so that matters related to academic freedom in Malaysia can be clearly defined and put back on track. The objective of this article is to discuss those legal provisions which are directly or specifically related to academic freedom, especially involving those academics currently serving in higher education institutions in Malaysia. As an immediate effect of this article, it can be stated that there are several provisions of the said statutes which need to be reviewed immediately in order to ensure that the aspirations and goals of the National Education Philosoph—to produce holistic and integrated human capital in meeting the challenges of the globalization era—can be realized effectively.
References
Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia, MQA Sepintas Lalu. (2019). Dicapai pada 19 Februari 2019 daripada http://www.mqa.gov.my/pv4/bm/profil_MQA.cfm
Akta Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia 2007 (Akta 679).
Akta Badan-Badan Berkanun (Tatatertib dan Surcaj) 2000 (Akta 605).
Akta Majlis Kebangsaan Pendidikan Tinggi 1996.
Akta Pendidikan 1996 (Akta 550).
Akta Pendidikan Tinggi Swasta 1996 (Akta 555).
Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti 1971 (Akta 30).
Constitution of the Universiti Malaysia Perlis P.U.(A)468/2010.
Dewan Rakyat, Senarai Penyata Rasmi (Hansard), 17 Mac 1971 (2019), hlm. 1401-1402, https://www.parlimen.gov.my/hansard-dewan-rakyat.html?uweb=dr&arkib=yes (diakses pada 12 Julai 2019).
Doring, Allan. (2002). Challenges to the Academic Role of Change Agent. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 26(2), 139-148. Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/citedby/10.1080/03098770220129415?scroll=top&needAccess=true
Faruqi SS. (2008). Document of Destiny: The Constitution of the Federation of Malaysia. The STAR Publications (Malaysia) Berhad, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Fauziah Md. Taib, Melissa Ng Lee Yen Abdullah. (2015). Governance Reforms in Public Universities of Malaysia, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia. Dicapai pada 16 Jun 2020 daripada https://books.google.com.my/books?id=OQ2NDAAAQBAJ&dq=comments+on+act+605&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Furedy, John. (2011). Free speech and the issue of academic freedom: Is the Canadian Velvet Totalitarian Disease coming to Australian campuses. University of Queensland Law Journal. 30(2), 279-286.
Hudson, Cheryl & Williams, Joanna (Eds.). (2016). Why Academic Freedom Matters: A Response to Current Challenges. Civitas, Essex, London.
Hudson, David L. (2018). Free Speech on Public College Campuses Overview . Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-speech-2/free-speech-on-public-college-campuses-overview/
Jung Cheol Shin, Akira Arimoto, William K. Cummings and Ulrich Teichler, Teaching and Research in Contemporary Higher Education: Systems, Activities and Rewards, Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg, New York, U.S.A., 2014.
Kell, Peter & Vogl, Gillian. (2009). Higher Education in the Asia Pacific: Challenges for the Future, Cambridge Scholar Publishing, New Castle, UK.
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan (2021), https://www.moe.gov.my/index.php/dasarmenu/falsafah-pendidikan-kebangsaan (diakses pada 26 September 2021).
Lee, M. N. N., Restructuring Higher Education in Malaysia. Monograph Series (No. 4), School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, 2004.
Lim Huey Teng, Undang-undang terpakai pada semua: Raja, menteri, rakyat biasa – PM (2019), https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/458647 (diakses pada 31 Januari 2019); https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/02/dr-m-complaining-about-abuses-of-power-is-not-seditious/ (diakses pada 2 January 2019) atau http://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1680852 (diakses pada 2 Januari 2019).
Malanczuk, P. (1997). Akerhurst’s Modern Introduction to International Law (Vol 7). Routledge.
Malaysia, Dewan Negara, Rang Undang-undang Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (Pindaan) (2018) Bacaan Kali Yang Kedua dan Ketiga DN 20.12.2018, (2018), hlm. 32, https://www.parlimen.gov.my/hansard-dewan-negara.html?uweb=dn& (diakses pada 10 Julai 2019).
Malaysia, Perbahasan Dewan Negara, Rang Undang-undang Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (Pindaan) (2018) Bacaan Kali Yang Kedua dan Ketiga DN 20.12.2018, (2018), hlm. 31, https://www.parlimen.gov.my (diakses pada 31 Disember 2018).
Matthias Revers dan Richard Traunmüller, Is Free Speech in Danger on University Campus? Some Preliminary Evidence from a Most Likely Case, Köln Z Soziol 72, 471–497 (2020), https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11577-020-00713-z (diakses pada 26 September 2021).
Morshidi, S., Abdul Razak, A. and Azman, N., “University leadership in crisis: The need for effective leadership positioning in Malaysia”, Higher Education Policy (2012), 25: 511-529.
Najeemah Md. Yusof, Konsep Pendidikan, PTS Professional, Malaysia, 2006.
Peguam Negara Malaysia, Perlembagaan Persekutuan. (2018). Dicapai pada 30 Disember 2018 daripada http://www.agc.gov.my/agcportal/uploads/files/Publications/FC/Federal%20Consti%20(BI%20text).pdf
Pejabat Pendaftar UITM, Tatatertib & Surcaj (2020), https://penang.uitm.edu.my/main/images/PolisBantuan/Borang/TATATERTIB-DAN-SURCAJ.pdf (diakses pada 12 Jun 2020).
Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bilangan 17 Tahun 2000, Pemakaian Akta Badan-Badan Berkanun (Tatatertib dan Surcaj) 2000 (Akta 605) (27 Oktober 2000), https://docs.jpa.gov.my/docs/pp172000.pdf (diakses pada 10 Jun 2020).
Perintah Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (Pengubahan dan Penambahan kepada, Perlembagaan) (Universiti Malaysia Kelantan) 2010.
Perintah Universiti Dan Kolej Universiti (Pengubahan Dan Penambahan Kepada, Perlembagaan) (Universiti Putra Malaysia) 2010.
Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia.
Perlembagaan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2010.
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaya (P.U. (A) 444/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaysia Pahang (Pindaan 2009).
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaysia Sabah (P.U. (A) 460/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (P.U. (A) 458/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaysia Terengganu 2010.
Perlembagaan Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (P.U. (A) 452/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (P.U. (A) 474/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Sains Malaysia 2009.
Perlembagaan Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia 2010.
Perlembagaan Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (P.U. (A) 456/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (P.U. (A) 470/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (P.U. (A) 450/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (P.U. (A) 472/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Utara Malaysia 2017.
Petersen, Il-haam & Kruss, Glenda. (2021). Universities as change agents in resource-poor local settings: An empirically grounded typology of engagement models. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 167, 13. Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0040162521001256?token=E97078A50B87A49C9E65FD85A284E5FF73AD45617965067312A1DDDF33057312860888EE1E5B31FB5040B9912D2F5E60&originRegion=eu-west-1&originCreation=20210925223225
Renton, David. The ‘free speech’ law will make university debate harder, not easier (2021), Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/22/the-free-speech-law-will-make-university-debate-harder-not-easier
Ross, John. (December 19, 2019). (Times Higher Education), Experts Doubt Malaysian Higher Ed Reform: Civil service hostility and legislative complexities seen as obstacles. Dicapai pada 15 Jun 2020 daripada https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/12/19/experts-doubt-malaysian-higher-education-reforms
Sail, M. R. and S. S. Pandak Osman. (1999). Penglibatan mahasiswa dalam aktiviti politik: Satu kajian kes di Universiti Putra Malaysia (Student Involvement in Political Activity: Case Study of Universiti Putra Malaysia). Journal Personalia Pelajar, 6, 53-62.
Sen, Amartya Elements of a Theory of Human Rights. (2004), http://jenni.uchicago.edu/WJP/papers/Sen_2004_v97_n4_elements.pdf (diakses pada 26 September 2021).David L. Hudson, Free Speech on Public College Campuses Overview (2018), https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-speech-2/free-speech-on-public-college-campuses-overview/ (diakses pada 26 September 2021).
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM). (2005). The Media in Malaysia. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Supyan Hussin. (2004). Pendidikan di Malaysia: Sejarah, Sistem dan Falsafah (Edisi ke-2). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tan, Kevin, Yeo Tiong Min & Lee Kiat Seng. (1991). Constitutional Law in Malaysia and Singapore. Malayan Law Journal. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tunku Sofeah Jiwa. (1996). Public International Law – A Malaysian Perspective (Vol. 1). Pacifica Publications.
Wan, Chang Da. (2021). Academic Freedom in Malaysian Public Universities. Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada http://web.usm.my/km/earlyView_May2021/29_KM-OA-03-20-0050.R1.pdf
Wan, Chang Da. (Mei 2017). The History of University Autonomy in Malaysia Policy IDEAS No. 40. Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs. Dicapai pada 21 Disember 2018 daripada http://www.ideas.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/The-History-of-University-Autonomy-in-Malaysia-.pdf
Wan Kamal Mujani, Anwar Muttaqin and Kartini Aboo Talib Khalid. (2014). The involvement of Malay students in campus politics in Malaysian public institution of higher education. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 20(12), 2147-2155.
Akta Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia 2007 (Akta 679).
Akta Badan-Badan Berkanun (Tatatertib dan Surcaj) 2000 (Akta 605).
Akta Majlis Kebangsaan Pendidikan Tinggi 1996.
Akta Pendidikan 1996 (Akta 550).
Akta Pendidikan Tinggi Swasta 1996 (Akta 555).
Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti 1971 (Akta 30).
Constitution of the Universiti Malaysia Perlis P.U.(A)468/2010.
Dewan Rakyat, Senarai Penyata Rasmi (Hansard), 17 Mac 1971 (2019), hlm. 1401-1402, https://www.parlimen.gov.my/hansard-dewan-rakyat.html?uweb=dr&arkib=yes (diakses pada 12 Julai 2019).
Doring, Allan. (2002). Challenges to the Academic Role of Change Agent. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 26(2), 139-148. Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/citedby/10.1080/03098770220129415?scroll=top&needAccess=true
Faruqi SS. (2008). Document of Destiny: The Constitution of the Federation of Malaysia. The STAR Publications (Malaysia) Berhad, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Fauziah Md. Taib, Melissa Ng Lee Yen Abdullah. (2015). Governance Reforms in Public Universities of Malaysia, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia. Dicapai pada 16 Jun 2020 daripada https://books.google.com.my/books?id=OQ2NDAAAQBAJ&dq=comments+on+act+605&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Furedy, John. (2011). Free speech and the issue of academic freedom: Is the Canadian Velvet Totalitarian Disease coming to Australian campuses. University of Queensland Law Journal. 30(2), 279-286.
Hudson, Cheryl & Williams, Joanna (Eds.). (2016). Why Academic Freedom Matters: A Response to Current Challenges. Civitas, Essex, London.
Hudson, David L. (2018). Free Speech on Public College Campuses Overview . Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-speech-2/free-speech-on-public-college-campuses-overview/
Jung Cheol Shin, Akira Arimoto, William K. Cummings and Ulrich Teichler, Teaching and Research in Contemporary Higher Education: Systems, Activities and Rewards, Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg, New York, U.S.A., 2014.
Kell, Peter & Vogl, Gillian. (2009). Higher Education in the Asia Pacific: Challenges for the Future, Cambridge Scholar Publishing, New Castle, UK.
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan (2021), https://www.moe.gov.my/index.php/dasarmenu/falsafah-pendidikan-kebangsaan (diakses pada 26 September 2021).
Lee, M. N. N., Restructuring Higher Education in Malaysia. Monograph Series (No. 4), School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, 2004.
Lim Huey Teng, Undang-undang terpakai pada semua: Raja, menteri, rakyat biasa – PM (2019), https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/458647 (diakses pada 31 Januari 2019); https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/02/dr-m-complaining-about-abuses-of-power-is-not-seditious/ (diakses pada 2 January 2019) atau http://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1680852 (diakses pada 2 Januari 2019).
Malanczuk, P. (1997). Akerhurst’s Modern Introduction to International Law (Vol 7). Routledge.
Malaysia, Dewan Negara, Rang Undang-undang Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (Pindaan) (2018) Bacaan Kali Yang Kedua dan Ketiga DN 20.12.2018, (2018), hlm. 32, https://www.parlimen.gov.my/hansard-dewan-negara.html?uweb=dn& (diakses pada 10 Julai 2019).
Malaysia, Perbahasan Dewan Negara, Rang Undang-undang Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (Pindaan) (2018) Bacaan Kali Yang Kedua dan Ketiga DN 20.12.2018, (2018), hlm. 31, https://www.parlimen.gov.my (diakses pada 31 Disember 2018).
Matthias Revers dan Richard Traunmüller, Is Free Speech in Danger on University Campus? Some Preliminary Evidence from a Most Likely Case, Köln Z Soziol 72, 471–497 (2020), https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11577-020-00713-z (diakses pada 26 September 2021).
Morshidi, S., Abdul Razak, A. and Azman, N., “University leadership in crisis: The need for effective leadership positioning in Malaysia”, Higher Education Policy (2012), 25: 511-529.
Najeemah Md. Yusof, Konsep Pendidikan, PTS Professional, Malaysia, 2006.
Peguam Negara Malaysia, Perlembagaan Persekutuan. (2018). Dicapai pada 30 Disember 2018 daripada http://www.agc.gov.my/agcportal/uploads/files/Publications/FC/Federal%20Consti%20(BI%20text).pdf
Pejabat Pendaftar UITM, Tatatertib & Surcaj (2020), https://penang.uitm.edu.my/main/images/PolisBantuan/Borang/TATATERTIB-DAN-SURCAJ.pdf (diakses pada 12 Jun 2020).
Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bilangan 17 Tahun 2000, Pemakaian Akta Badan-Badan Berkanun (Tatatertib dan Surcaj) 2000 (Akta 605) (27 Oktober 2000), https://docs.jpa.gov.my/docs/pp172000.pdf (diakses pada 10 Jun 2020).
Perintah Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (Pengubahan dan Penambahan kepada, Perlembagaan) (Universiti Malaysia Kelantan) 2010.
Perintah Universiti Dan Kolej Universiti (Pengubahan Dan Penambahan Kepada, Perlembagaan) (Universiti Putra Malaysia) 2010.
Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia.
Perlembagaan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2010.
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaya (P.U. (A) 444/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaysia Pahang (Pindaan 2009).
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaysia Sabah (P.U. (A) 460/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (P.U. (A) 458/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Malaysia Terengganu 2010.
Perlembagaan Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (P.U. (A) 452/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (P.U. (A) 474/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Sains Malaysia 2009.
Perlembagaan Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia 2010.
Perlembagaan Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (P.U. (A) 456/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (P.U. (A) 470/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (P.U. (A) 450/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (P.U. (A) 472/2010).
Perlembagaan Universiti Utara Malaysia 2017.
Petersen, Il-haam & Kruss, Glenda. (2021). Universities as change agents in resource-poor local settings: An empirically grounded typology of engagement models. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 167, 13. Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0040162521001256?token=E97078A50B87A49C9E65FD85A284E5FF73AD45617965067312A1DDDF33057312860888EE1E5B31FB5040B9912D2F5E60&originRegion=eu-west-1&originCreation=20210925223225
Renton, David. The ‘free speech’ law will make university debate harder, not easier (2021), Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/22/the-free-speech-law-will-make-university-debate-harder-not-easier
Ross, John. (December 19, 2019). (Times Higher Education), Experts Doubt Malaysian Higher Ed Reform: Civil service hostility and legislative complexities seen as obstacles. Dicapai pada 15 Jun 2020 daripada https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/12/19/experts-doubt-malaysian-higher-education-reforms
Sail, M. R. and S. S. Pandak Osman. (1999). Penglibatan mahasiswa dalam aktiviti politik: Satu kajian kes di Universiti Putra Malaysia (Student Involvement in Political Activity: Case Study of Universiti Putra Malaysia). Journal Personalia Pelajar, 6, 53-62.
Sen, Amartya Elements of a Theory of Human Rights. (2004), http://jenni.uchicago.edu/WJP/papers/Sen_2004_v97_n4_elements.pdf (diakses pada 26 September 2021).David L. Hudson, Free Speech on Public College Campuses Overview (2018), https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-speech-2/free-speech-on-public-college-campuses-overview/ (diakses pada 26 September 2021).
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM). (2005). The Media in Malaysia. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Supyan Hussin. (2004). Pendidikan di Malaysia: Sejarah, Sistem dan Falsafah (Edisi ke-2). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tan, Kevin, Yeo Tiong Min & Lee Kiat Seng. (1991). Constitutional Law in Malaysia and Singapore. Malayan Law Journal. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tunku Sofeah Jiwa. (1996). Public International Law – A Malaysian Perspective (Vol. 1). Pacifica Publications.
Wan, Chang Da. (2021). Academic Freedom in Malaysian Public Universities. Dicapai pada 26 September 2021 daripada http://web.usm.my/km/earlyView_May2021/29_KM-OA-03-20-0050.R1.pdf
Wan, Chang Da. (Mei 2017). The History of University Autonomy in Malaysia Policy IDEAS No. 40. Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs. Dicapai pada 21 Disember 2018 daripada http://www.ideas.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/The-History-of-University-Autonomy-in-Malaysia-.pdf
Wan Kamal Mujani, Anwar Muttaqin and Kartini Aboo Talib Khalid. (2014). The involvement of Malay students in campus politics in Malaysian public institution of higher education. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 20(12), 2147-2155.
Published
2022-07-05
How to Cite
MAT SAAD, Hasbollah; RAJAMANICKAM, Ramalinggam.
The Federal Constitution and Specific Legislations Relating to Education in Malaysia and their Relationship to Academic Freedom.
Kanun: Jurnal Undang-undang Malaysia, [S.l.], v. 34, n. 2, p. 225-260, july 2022.
ISSN 2682-8057.
Available at: <https://jurnal.dbp.my/index.php/Kanun/article/view/8204>. Date accessed: 22 nov. 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.37052/kanun.34(2)no3.
Section
Articles
