Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today described the university students who are demanding for the abolition of the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) as rude.

They are also immature and backed by the opposition, he added.

NONE Khairy ( right ) who is also Rembau MP said while he supported students’ rights and freedom, their protests must be properly held, and there should be limits.

“Do not do anything which is rude, immature and going against our culture. Are these calls supported by the opposition who want to produce future credible leaders?” he told Utusan Malaysia .

The Umno Youth chief said those who brought along a tombstone during their protest were rude and immature.

Umno ulama Fathul Bari Mat Jahaya, who echoed Khairy’s views, said the students’ action in placing “ bunga malai ” on the portraits of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin was as if “ mengkafirkan sesama Islam ” (calling them infidels).

“Both the prime minister and the education minister are Muslims. What the students did is based on Hindu rites.

“Although they claim to be making a symbolic representation, it cannot be done that way as its involves religion,” he told Sinar Harian .

“Maybe they do not understand the religion or the laws governing Islam. Their actions are truly immature,” he added.

Meanwhile on a separate issue, PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli said he has already submitted the format for his proposed debate on the PTPTN issue with Khairy.

Rafizi has proposed that his debate with Khairy be in the form of the American presidential debate.

“We hope to get the nod from the organisers. The debate will be in Bahasa Malaysia as many people want it that way,” Rafizi was quoted as Sinar Harian .