Kuala Lampur, Aug. 15 -- AUg 15 - Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's announcement that the government intends to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, better known as AUKU, is important. For many students and academics, it marks a reform that has been a long time coming.

Still, there are reasons to be cautious. AUKU has become the most recognisable symbol of control in Malaysian universities, but the restrictions on academic freedom today cannot be reduced to AUKU alone. In many ways, the deeper problem lies in the wider legal, institutional and political environment in which universities operate.

Anwar made the announcement on August 15 during his presidential policy speech at the PKR National Congress and said the pro...