'Anti-establishment' candidates retained control over student representative councils in four key public universities in yesterday's nationwide campus elections.

This is despite a major campaign by 'pro-establishment' students, allegedly supported by campus authorities, to take over the country's top universities.

'Anti-establishment' students remained in power in Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) - some with a lower majority - and succeeded in regaining control in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

However, 'pro-establishment' teams (popularly known as Aspirasi Kerajaan, or 'government asipiration') won in the 'anti-establishment' strongholds of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Results were not immediately available for the elections in university colleges in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).