MALAYSIAN scholarship in the 1960s was fertile ground for academic titans like Tan Chee Khoon, Royal Professor Datuk Ungku Abdul Aziz and Professor Datuk Syed Hussein Al-Attas.
They were key to Malaysian universities becoming centres of intellectual rigour and critical debate while maintaining institutional autonomy. These figures bestrode Malaysian academia like rock stars, and the stature they attained during the post-Merdeka social revolution, notably at Universiti Malaya, has never been replicated.
In their heyday, UM’s University Council, chaired by Tan, a legendary former member of parliament known popularly as “Mr Opposition”, reflected left-leaning radicalism with an anti-colonial bent. Under Tan, the council leadership was shaped by merit and democratic representation, rather than political loyalty.
Instead of hiding away in ivory towers, they engaged in nation-building and criticised government policies while spearheading public discourse and powering socioeconomic reforms.
This intellectual bravado and hotbed of activism declined after the May 13, 1969 racial riots, particularly after the enactment of the Universities and University Colleges Act (Auku )in 1971.
Varsity budgets became strained, forcing decades of over-reliance on commercial partnerships or student-driven revenue. This led to a lack of specialised equipment, advanced research software and comprehensive digital resources.
Brain drain and a culture of mediocrity then resulted in our universities suffering in global rankings. After decades of pushback, the dons are now calling for academic freedom and better welfare in the proposed repeal of Auku.
There is opportunity now for universities to phase out unfair promotions and favouritism, and practices that undermine morale and meritocracy. Performance appraisals must recognise teaching, research, post-graduate supervision and societal contributions.
The proposed One Higher Education Act aims for fairer treatment, stronger grievance mechanisms and better accountability. Political appointments should be replaced with independent, peer-reviewed and merit-based ones. Faculty leaders must regain autonomy to manage curricula, departmental policies and student engagement.
Red tape must be slashed to focus on impactful research and mentorship. Funding should be directed towards competitive, programme-based grants, building better digital infrastructure, securing access to international scholarly databases and modernising laboratory facilities.
Eventually, the reforms should create public discourse without career-ending consequences. These reforms must also plug the brain drain by improving compensation, restoring critical thought and paving a transparent path for career advancement.
Ultimately, the overhaul must aim to recreate the halcyon years of the Tans, Ungku Azizes and Syed Husseins.