The government’s reform agenda ultimately depends on the prime minister, who acts as the ‘gatekeeper’ in deciding which proposals reach the Cabinet, Bersama leader Rafizi Ramli has said.
Rafizi, a former economy minister, said that based on his experience in government, he did not encounter significant resistance from Umno when reform proposals were put forward.
However, he said Umno was unlikely to become the main force driving reforms after decades as part of the political system it had helped shape.
‘So, if you expect Umno to come up with reforms in government, that will not happen. It has to be driven by PH through the prime minister,’ he said in the latest episode of his ‘Yang Berhenti Menteri’ podcast.
PM as the reform gatekeeper
Rafizi said reform proposals could originate either from the prime minister or individual ministries. However, the prime minister ultimately decides whether proposals from ministries are brought before the Cabinet.
‘In the end, the gatekeeper is the prime minister,’ he said.
He cited Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent announcement that the Universities and University Colleges Act, or Auku, would be repealed as an example of the prime minister’s role in determining the government’s reform agenda.
Auku repeal and university autonomy
Rafizi welcomed the proposed repeal but said the real test would be whether it led to further reforms in higher education.
He said the 13th Malaysia Plan already included a proposal to begin granting autonomy to one public university as a pilot project, an initiative he said he had helped introduce.
Rafizi expressed hope that the repeal of Auku would move reforms in that direction, saying university autonomy should cover both academic freedom and funding.
Long-running debate over Auku
Enacted in 1971, Auku has long been at the centre of debate over students’ freedom to protest, organise and express views on political and public issues.
The law was last amended in 2024 to give student associations greater autonomy over fundraising and other activities.
The Higher Education Ministry had previously said it had no plans to abolish the law in its entirety. It has now said an independent committee will be formed to examine all aspects involved in drafting a new law to replace Auku.
