KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) should not punish the students who organised the May forum on Goods and Services Tax (GST) as it would appear as if the institution does not encourage the healthy exchange of ideas, a PKR lawmaker said today.

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli said that the act of organising an event to discuss a topic relevant to the economic plight of Malaysians should not warrant any punishment as it would give UIA a bad image.

“If stiff action is taken against them, it will create a negative image of UIA,” the Pandan MP said in a statement.

“As a knowledge pool (taman ilmu), the management of UIA should take an open stand to encourage the exchange of ideas, what more an issue like GST that touches on the economic standing of the public,” he added.

Rafizi said UIA should drop all charges against Student Representative Council (SRC) president Hanif Mahpa and SRC academic executive council member Afiqah Zulkifli for organising the forum, which was abruptly cancelled after he showed up.

The incident later resulted in a scuffle between students and security officials.

“I urge that all charges against these two academic leaders to be dropped. If unfair action is taken against them, I myself will focus my time and energy to work with the student movement to bring a new wave of student power,” he vowed.

On May 13, Rafizi was barred from speaking at a GST forum allegedly for being from an opposition party, despite a former Umno Youth executive council member being allowed to complete his presentation.

Rafizi explained in a statement on May 14 that he proceeded with his speech despite the officials’ protest, shortly after which the university’s head of security Superintendent Razali Mohamad snatched his microphone and demanded that the lawmaker leave.

He added that a brief scuffle ensued when Razali as well as several Special Branch officers tried to escort him off the campus as several students attempted to separate the officers from Rafizi.