A brief scuffle broke out at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa after campus security members snatched a microphone from Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli mid-speech.

The incident tonight took place during a forum about the Goods and Services Tax (GST) where Rafizi was invited to speak.

The university’s campus security chief Razali Mohamad (photo, in orange) came about 10 minutes into Rafizi’s speech at 10.09pm and immediately grabbed the microphone.

The students booed at the security members and some student argued with the security team, resulting some shoving.

After several pleas for calm, UIA student council president Hanif Mahpa called off the event.

"If we continue tonight’s forum, we will be put under further pressure from the security (team), which I think is unnecessary […]

"But in our hearts, when we go home tonight, we resolve to fight for academic freedom in university," he told the students.

At its peak, more than 300 students had already gathered around the square where the forum was held and spilled into the hallways beyond.

They dispersed peacefully amid chants of "Hidup mahasiswa" (Long live the students)  and " Bebas ilmu " ( Free knowledge).

Security personnel Hashim Adzhar earlier interrupted the speech of fellow panellist, former Umno Youth exco member Lokman Adam to say that the event may proceed but Rafizi cannot speak.

Hashim said this was under Razali’s orders.

However, Lokman who was speaking as a member of the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) thinker’s panel and government representative, declined to continue his speech.

“I came here tonight prepared to debate. I have debated with Rafizi before, and (Serdang MP) Ong Kian Ming as well. So far, there have been no problems.

“But if you say (Rafizi cannot speak), then both of us cannot speak. It’s not fair if one person can speak but the other can’t,” Lokman (photo) said.

Rafizi pointed out that Lokman had already spoken for 15 minutes, so it is only fair that he speaks for 15 minutes as well. He spoke for 10 minutes before Razali snatched the microphone away.

The event is the second UIA event to be cancelled in a month due to the presence of Pakatan Rakyat representatives.

A forum on moderation to be held at the university on April 29 was cancelled due to the presence of Selangor exco member and PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was on the panel.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low said the eleventh hour cancellation due to Nik Nazmi's participation was " not right ".

According today’s organiser and student council member Mohd Hafizudin Mohd Yahya, the event had been in the works since early April.

He said the rector Zaleha Kamaruddin had agreed to allow the students to hold a forum on GST and to allow politicians to be present on the panel, as long as they have “academic authority” to speak on the subject.

The matter was then delegated to deputy rector (student affairs) Mizan Hitam to decide.

Academic authority

Mohd Hafizudin said the organisers had secured all necessary approvals by last Friday, including from Mizan before booking the university’s main auditorium as the venue.

However, he said, Mizan contacted a member of the organising committee on Sunday night to inform that the event has to be cancelled because “the speaker is not suitable”.  

Mizan did not explain further, Mohd Hafizuddin said.  

The students proceeded to hold the event at the Faculty of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Science instead.

A representative from the Royal Customs Department who earlier agreed to speak at the forum declined to participate after official approval was withdrawn.

Mohd Hafizudin added that the students have also yet to receive an explanation for the cancellation of the forum on moderation.

Malaysiakini has sought UIA’s comments on tonight’s forum through a university media relations officer present at the event, and is awaiting the university’s response.

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