Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) have been directed to suspend any form of sponsorship, other than that for education, for this year.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today that any other forms of sponsorships have to be scrutinised first.

"I will get a more detailed report from UniKL and Mara. Like I said, I was not informed about this.

"Whatever it is, I will get the reports. Only for now, any sort of sponsorships have to be put on hold. Let me see."

Mara falls under Ismail's ministry while UniKL is wholly-owned by Mara.

Ismail's comment came following Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim's revelation that Mara chairperson Annuar Musa had used his positions in Mara and UniKL to secure sponsorships for the Kelantan football team, The Red Warriors (TRW).

Tunku Ismail also revealed several documents detailing the said transactions and questioned if the sponsorship was the reason why UniKL was forced to reduced scholarship for its students by RM700 million last year.

Annuar, who is also former Kelantan Football Association (Kafa) president, has denied the allegations.

He has also "thanked" the parties responsible for the revelation as the posted documents allegedly showed that the sponsorships were done in an "open and transparent manner".