Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low said he condemns Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) for cancelling a forum on moderation at the last minute, purportedly because an opposition leader is on the panel.

 

UIA pulled out as host of 'The Great Debate Series 2: Everything in Moderation - Ways of Living Together' hours before it was to be held at its Gombak campus last night.

 

Co-sponsor University of Nottingham said organisers were told UIA "senior officials" took exception to PKR Youth chief and Selangor executive councillor Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad ( right ) being on the panel.

 

"I don't think the university did the right thing by disallowing the event. A university should be open for a debate like this [...]

 

"I am disappointed with the decision of UIA. For whatever reason. Obviously this (forum) is not about politics but a debate on moderation," he told Malaysiakini.

 

Low said it is only expected that a debate should include people of different views "from whatever party".

 

He said the topic is of public interest, and he intends to participate in the debate which the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation has offered to host at a later date.

 

"Of course, it is no problem."

 

Low's comments come after Nik Nazmi urged him to condemn the cancellation, and for the university to apologise for the “embarrassing” decision.

 

The event was co-sponsored by the British High Commission and the University of Nottingham.

 

University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus head of School of Politics, History and International Relations Michael Connors told Malaysiakini "exception was taken to the presence of an opposition elected representative by IIUM's senior management".

 

Calls to UIA's media relations office were not answered.