KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — PKR’s Rafizi Ramli has offered assistant jobs or fully-funded skills courses for the two International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) students who were suspended for a year after inviting him to speak at a Goods and Services Tax (GST) forum.

The Pandan MP said he was initially reluctant to speak at the GST forum last May, which was abruptly cancelled despite receiving approval from the public university, over concerns that the organisers may be suspended, but was convinced when both Hanif Mahpa and Afiqah Zulkifli were adamant in upholding academic freedom.

“I have given them a few options, including working under me for the whole year as my aides to gain knowledge on administration, or to go for short-term courses that can increase their capabilities as university students,” Rafizi said in a statement.

Rafizi was barred from speaking at the forum on May 13, allegedly for coming from an opposition party, despite former Umno Youth executive council member Lokman Adam being allowed to complete his presentation.

He explained in a statement the next day that he proceeded with his speech despite objections from university officials, shortly after which the university’s head of security Superintendent Razali Mohamad snatched his microphone and demanded that the opposition MP leave.

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

IIUM suspended the university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) president Hanif and SRC academic executive council member Afiqah yesterday for two semesters, which lasts for a year, over the GST forum.