THE enactment of the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 (Act 605) has long raised significant concerns in Malaysia’s academic community about its restrictive impact on public universities. The Act mandates prior written consent from the Higher Education minister before any public statement about public bodies and government can be made, effectively curtailing academic freedom and limiting scholars’ capacity to participate meaningfully in public discourse.
Act 605 defines “public statements” broadly, encompassing any remarks or commentary shared through various media – including social media platforms, academic journals, books, newspapers, and digital publications. This wide definition results in an extensive reach that covers almost all forms of communication, curbing the dissemination of academic insights across diverse platforms.
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