A Terengganu NGO has threatened to demonstrate against the state’s move to withdraw study loans from six university students studying in Egypt, who had attended the Bersih 2.0 rally last year.

Terengganu People’s Solidarity Council (Mampat) chairperson Mohd Fauzi Abu Samah said they plan to hold the rally next month if Menteri Besar Ahmad Said does not retract the decision or settle the matter.

“One month is a reasonable deadline for the state to act. Ahmad Said must remember, retracting the punishment will not affect his credibility as a menteri besar,” Mohd Fauzi told Malaysiakini yesterday.

He added Mampat does not rule out collaborating with other groups, including the students’ movement who are also furious.

The NGO is active in local issues can came to the spotlight in 2009 championing the issue of state oil royalties.

They were also prominent in their support of Ahmad Said during the MB’s power struggle after the March 8, 2008 general election.

Students to rally

It was reported on Sunday that the MB had withdrawn the loans because he was dissatisfied with the reasons given by the six students, who had participated in the Bersih 2.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur on July 9 last year.

The student group Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) yesterday also threatened to take to the streets in protest.

SMM chief Ahmad Syukri Ab Razab said the state’s move was excessive as the students studying abroad would be badly affected.

“This punishment surely affects the students’ living expenses and would definitely interrupt their education,” he said in a statement.

The historic Bersih 2.0 rally last year saw an estimated 50,000 from across the nation gather in Kuala Lumpur in the largest demonstration ever for clean and fair elections.