A student leader from the Selangor International Islamic University (Kuis), whose higher education loan was temporarily suspended for his alleged involvement in the Hulu Selangor by-election, will receive a special scholarship instead.

The student, Ahmad Shukri Kamaruddin, a member of Solidarity Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) and Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (Gamis), said he received the good news from the Selangor government yesterday.

"I am happy that the state government is offering the scholarship, thereby lessening my financial burden," he said.

The National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) had earlier suspended Shukri's student loan, along with 1,500 other new applicants from his institution, in response to the alleged offence.

However, he denied allegations that he had been campaigning, but said he was present at the by-election in his individual capacity, and not campaigning for any political party.

Meeting with Selangor MB

Contacted by Malaysiakini today, he said that no additional information was provided about the scholarship from Selangor.

"I believe that the scholarship is a result of my meeting with Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and Education exco Dr Halimah Ali on June 23 on my student loan," said Shukri, who plays an active role in campus politics.

He is pursuing a four-year Diploma in Islamic Studies (Syariah) course and has another year to go before graduating.

Kuis student development department dean Muhammad Subari Ramli said that the university was not aware of the scholarship given to Shukri.

"But the 1,500 new applications are currently being processed by the PTPTN and there is no more problem over the matter," Subari said.

Ahmad Shukri's predicament became public when Mohd Nasir Zakaria (PAS-Padang Terap) brought up his plight and that of the other 1,500 Kuis students while debating the 10th Malaysian Plan in Parliament on June 17.