A series of secret meetings co-ordinated by the higher education ministry has brought together top university officials, Umno representatives and 'pro-establishment' student leaders, apparently to strategise for the government camp's success ahead of the upcoming annual campus elections.

A document in malaysiakini 's possession shows that the ministry had invited the deputy vice-chancellors overseeing students affairs at all 17 public universities or university colleges to gather at the Umno headquarters for one of the meetings on July 27.

A letter signed by the ministry's welfare division head Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Hussin stated that the meeting - dubbed the 'varsity student activities co-ordinating meeting' - also required the presence of the respective heads of the students council.

Documents attached listed a series of activities and briefings planned by the ministry from August to September for the campus authorities as well as 'pro-establishment' (or government aspiration) candidates in connection with the elections, tipped to be concluded by next month.

Topics for the briefings were to cover strategies on influencing rival candidates to withdraw from the contest; tactics on effectively registering protests; preparation of back-up plans; identifying strategic areas to 'fish for votes'; and tips on campaigning.

It is learnt that representatives of Umno Youth and Puteri Umno had attended the meetings, held weekly since July.

Copies of the letter were sent to Higher Education Minister Dr Shafie Salleh and the ministry's parliamentary secretary Dr Adham Baba, according to the list of recipients indicated.

Selected leaders

The move appears consistent with past attempts to ensure that all campuses are held by the pro-government faction - at present, three remain dominated by the 'anti-establishment' (or student idealists) camp.

In the case of Universiti Islam Antarangbangsa Malaysia (UIA) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), the ministry asked for the presence of the 'aspiration club' heads, and not the student council leaders who are aligned with the rival faction.

(In UIA, most of the students are seen to be sympathetic to opposition Islamic party PAS.)

When contacted, Muhammad confirmed that the meetings had taken place.

"It's like the cabinet meetings. We discuss student activities, we discuss how to run the campus elections, but we did not discuss how to campaign for the 'aspiration' students," he said.

He denied that the sessions had been initiated in tandem with the campus elections, saying this has been the practice "since a long time ago".

However, this contradicted the contents of his letter, which stated that the July 27 meeting was the second such session.

Asked why the meetings were held at the Umno headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, he replied: "Why not? We can't afford the Pan Pacific Hotel, so we rent the Umno headquarters which is cheaper.

"But we have also held meetings at places such as Vistana Hotel and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia."

Muhammad claimed that the 'pro-establishment' student leaders were asked to attend because the ministry requires their co-operation for the launch of activities connected to the Rukunegara.

"The UIA and UPSI student council heads are not with the 'aspiration' camp, that's why we did not invite them. (Instead), we invited the 'aspiration club' student leaders," he said in response to a question on why these leaders had been sidelined.

Comment contradicted

On the presence of Umno Youth and Puteri Umno representatives, he said: "We didn't invite them. But if they were present, it was impossible for us to ask them to leave, right?"

This, however, contradicted the comments of Puteri Umno education bureau chief Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi, who confirmed that she had attended one of the meetings at the ministry's invitation.

Nolee, who initially denied she had attended the meeting, confirmed her presence only after being repeatedly pressed - but then insisted that this has no connection with the campus polls.

"I was invited in my capacity as head of the Puteri Umno education bureau. We're working with the ministry to provide career-building training for female undergraduates, including interviewing skills...we impart our professional experience," she said.

She rejected claims that Puteri Umno has been instrumental in training pro-establishment candidates, saying that the wing does not interfere in the campus elections.

Umno Youth education bureau head Ahmad Ikmal Ismail, who was said to have attended the meetings, could not be reached for comment.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Alias Mohd Noor, who was among those invited to the meetings, refused to comment when contacted.

"I cannot give any statement to the media...the minister has scolded us. There is a gag order and there is a circular for this (ruling)," he said, refusing to elaborate.

In 1998, following the sacking of ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim and the birth of the reformasi movement, the 'anti-establishment' faction swept into power in several universities.

However, the 'pro-establishment' faction regained control over the past two years amidst allegations of irregularities , money politics and intimidation tactics.

Campus polls are keenly observed by politicians - especially between Umno and PAS - as these allow them to gauge student support for their parties.