The anti-establishment Pro-Mahasiswa (Pro-M) student group today claimed that the MCA is bankrolling electoral rivals, the Pro-Aspirasi (Pro-A) movement, often seen as pro-establishment.

The two groups are battling for control of student councils in six public universities nationwide.

NONE The Pro-M group from the Universiti Sains Malaysia in a press statement today that they have obtained evidence that the Chinese Pro-A faction had received support, monetary and otherwise, from the MCA.

The Pro-M students further claimed that the Chinese Pro-A students, are alleging that they are being sidelined by the Malay Pro-A students in the student council and want the MCA to negotiate with the vice-chancellor to assign more power and seat allocations for them.

They also alleged that the Chinese Pro-A faction from USM also demanded money from the MCA for their campaign in the upcoming campus polls.

At a press conference in Universiti Malaya today, the Pro-M also showed pictures, allegedly of Pro-A representatives, meeting with MCA president Chua Soi Lek, purportedly taken during a Pro-A campus election training camp.

However when contacted by Malaysiakini , MCA education bureau chief Chong Sin Woon denied any interference, though admitting to receiving the memorandum from the Pro-A student faction.

"Just because we received the memorandum and demand for campaign funds from the Pro-A students, doesn't mean that we fulfilled their demands," he said.

According to the University & University College Act (UUCA) 1971, students cannot express objection or support for any political parties, and vice-versa, Political parties are also prohibited from interfering in campus politics.

Acts of vandalism

Meanwhile, the Pro-M student camp in Universiti Malaya today lodged police reports over acts of vandalism perpetrated against campaign materials and the property of its officers ahead of the upcoming campus elections.

The group claimed that several of their campaign banners were burnt and paint splashed upon a car owned by a group member.

Pro-M national president Mohd Taufiq Abdul said that five campaign banners were burnt in a rental house at Section 12 Petaling Jaya at about 4.50am when he and six others were asleep after mounting guard at the premises overnight.

"Suddenly I woke up to find a fire raging," he said.

The vandalised car was discovered later.

"I was informed by a friend that at about 8.45am the roof of my car, parked outside of my rental house in Petaling Jaya, has been splashed with orange paint," said car owner, Ahmad Bashier Muhamad Afifi.

He said in his police report, that he felt victimised and threatened by the incident, adding that he felt there was an element of blackmail in relation to the upcoming campus polls.