Malaysian students in the United Kingdom have been told to steer clear of the Al-Hibul Islami Organisation or Hizbi - which is allegedly linked to PAS - in order not to be associated with militant activities.

A student informed malaysiakini that Prime Minister's Department parliamentary secretary Noh Omar issued the warning during a briefing for Malaysian students in Manchester last month

The parliamentary-secretary repeated this warning in London o­n Monday for some 250 Malaysian students there.

In an e-mail communiqu o­n Feb 26, the student said Noh Omar told them that Hizbi was set up by PAS with the intention to carry out anti-government activities.

"We were also told that those who are holding posts in Hizbi will have their (government) sponsorship terminated and sent home," added the student who declined to be named.

He said Malaysian undergraduates were o­nly allowed to participate in organisations and clubs registered with the Malaysian Students Department (MSD).

"However, we were told that students are allowed to join the Kelab Umno because it is not a political group, was registered with the MSD and does not carry out anti-government activities," he added.

Closely monitored

The student added that they were also told that students' respective sponsors would closely monitor their activities.

"Each sponsor has appointed its agent to check o­n the activities, and action will be taken against those who misbehave," the student explained.

According to him, a sponsors committee comprising Petronas, Telekom, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, the Public Services Department, Mara and all Malaysian public universities (which have students in the UK) has been formed for this purpose.

"The sponsors committee have also told us that a new clause will be included in the future agreement letter (for new students) that action can also be taken against them, such as their sponsorship terminated, if their spouse is actively taking part in anti-government activities," said the student.

The students were also told that in future they would be required to undergo an induction course organised by Biro Tata Negara (BTN).

Apart from this, they will also be required to attend another induction course in Malaysia into their second year of education in UK. The students will be paid to come back to attend these courses.

PAS denial

Meanwhile when contacted for comments, PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli refuted that Hizbi was set up by the party.

"It is o­ne of many clubs that's set up by the students themselves ... just like Kelab Umno. And it is up to the students to decide their memberships in these clubs," said Hatta who is also the political secretary for Opposition Leader and PAS acting president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Hatta also said that PAS had no knowledge about the alleged militant activities of Hizbi club members.

Yesterday, Utusan Malaysia quoted Noh as saying that students should refrain from joining Hizbi to avoid being linked to militant activities.

"The Scotland Yard has requested the identity of 19 Malaysian students from the Malaysian High Commission in the UK for investigation purposes.

"So far, we are not very sure why their identities have been requested but we believe that it is due to some activities," he added.

He also told the students that their involvement in Hizbi would destroy their future and they should concentrate o­n their studies instead.