Universiti Malaya forbade a planned Mooncake Festival in its premises last month because the organising group was not recognised by the university authorities, a deputy minister said in Parliament today.

"The application by the student body was not approved as the organising body was not in the list of societies recognised by the Student Affairs Department," said Hon Choon Kim.

"The planned three-day lantern festival would also be taking up a considerable amount of energy and time of the students," he said, in response to a question fielded by Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) on why the festival was prohibited.

The festival was originally scheduled for Sept 12 to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival of the lunar calendar.

"Generally, UM, approves such applications from students to organise a Tanglung Night at the residential college level like the 1999 Tanglung Festival," said Hon.

He also stated that during the 1999/2000 session, the UM Student Affairs Department had approved 800 student activities involving different ethnic groups.

Kerk Kim Hock (DAP-Kota Melaka) also asked whether the ban was due to the festival's "Malaysiana" theme which was allegedly close to DAP's "Malaysian Malaysia".

Kerk also asked if it was true that UM officials suggested that the festival be postponed to the night before the Chinese lunar new year.

Both allegations were refuted by Hon.

"The accusations are not true. I have already conducted investigations on the matter," he replied.