In a statement today, Maszlee said the meeting would take place at the education ministry here at 6.30pm.

He hoped to listen to the students’ concerns in line with the concept of an open door policy as practised by the government.

“As I have said earlier on Sept 8, I am committed to meeting up with the students on Wednesday, Sept 12.”

He said his officers had contacted the students’ representative, Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi, who agreed to the date and time of the meeting.

The statement was issued following a report by a news portal today which among others quoted Asheeq Ali as saying that the open door policy which the minister had been championing “was just talk”.

Last Saturday, Asheeq Ali, 23, and Siti Nurizzah Mohamad Tazali, 23, were detained by police after refusing to disperse from the main gate of Parcel E, Putrajaya, which houses several ministries including the education ministry.

Asheeq Ali and Nuizzah together with a few students from several universities who called themselves Coalition for Academic Freedom – Institute of Higher Learning had organised a sit-in to protest against Maszlee’s appointment as IIUM president.