(AFP) Faulty wiring and not arson was the probable cause of a blaze which destroyed a hall at University Malaya, a report said today.

The Malay Mail afternoon daily said an investigation by the fire department showed that the fire was due to an old and overloaded wiring system.

It said results of the inquiry had been given to Housing and Local Government minister Ong Ka Ting, who was expected to table them at a cabinet meeting today.

The pre dawn fire on June 29 caused damage estimated at RM12.4 million, the newspaper said. Fire officials could not be reached for comment.

On Monday, a minister accused student activists of starting the blaze, which broke out a day before Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was to attend a meeting in the hall.

Last week police arrested two student leaders under the feared Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows indefinite detention without trial.

It was not clear if they were suspected of involvement in the blaze.

Stern warning

Legal affairs minister Dr Rais Yatim said on Monday the arrest of two students under the ISA last week was a stern warning that Malaysia is serious about curbing student involvement in anti-government activities.

"We are not going after student leaders per se but against those who do not take care of the safety of the institution."

Rais said current government leaders had also been student activists during their university days but did not burn down a building as a way of expressing their opinions.