KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — A student group has urged the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) to rescind the suspension of its two students today for organising a forum on Goods and Services Tax (GST) in May.

IIUM Student Representative Council (SRC) president Hanif Mahpa and SRC academic executive council member Afiqah Zulkifli were earlier today suspended for two semesters for organising the event, which was abruptly cancelled despite receiving approval from the university.

“Amid the worrying situation in our country, IIUM’s administration has added towards it by sowing turmoil with its decision to suspend them using the excuse of organising a GST programme without the university’s approval.

“Although the programme had initially received approval, it was not allowed at the final moment due to order ‘from above’,” said student group Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam SeMalaysia (Gamis) in a statement.

Gamis president Mohd Imran Md Ishak also said the group will deliver a memorandum to protest the punishment, and will organise a student rally for the cause.

On May 13, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli was barred from speaking at the GST forum allegedly for being from an opposition party, despite a former Umno Youth executive council member Lokman Adam 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.