The union’s president, Ooi Guo Shen, said the Universities and University Colleges Act (Auku) 1971 had been used to censure the students involved.

He said Auku was indirectly responsible for the suspension of six students and the fine imposed on two others in 2014 after they invited Anwar to speak at the campus without the university’s approval.

The students, known as UM8, were investigated and charged under the University of Malaya (Discipline of Students) Rules 1999.

Ooi claimed those regulations had been “empowered” by Auku.

“With Auku, students don’t have the right to speak freely,” he told FMT. “If you want meaningful initiatives for students, you need to empower them.”

Repealing the Act would amount to an acknowledgement by the government that these students were victimised.  It will also show that justice has finally been served, he said.

Last week, higher education minister Khaled Nordin said the ministry did not have any plans to repeal Auku as the Act was still relevant, especially for matters involving the administration of universities.

Khaled said the process of repealing the Act would interfere with the administration of public universities.

More detailed scrutiny is also required before taking steps to repeal the Act as it may affect other legislation, he added.

However, Khaled said the ministry was open to suggestions on improving the existing Act.

DAP Youth chief Dr Kelvin Yii called for a review of the law so that it serves to empower, rather than control, university students.

Yii, who is also the Bandar Kuching MP, said Auku at present restricted students’ autonomy.  The need to “control” them is “completely outdated”, he said.

“Universities should empower young people. A university is a reservoir for learning, which is why the laws that govern the students and the university should reflect that spirit and empower them,” he said.