An opposition leader has accused Umno of mobilising Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students for the party's 71st anniversary celebrations at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

PKR Youth deputy chief Afif Bahardin claimed he received a WhatsApp message from a staff of the university, which is located in Shah Alam.

"There is a concerted effort to manipulate and mobilise students to attend the event in Bukit Jalil.

"We suspect that the programme involves Umno's 71st anniversary celebrations," the Penang executive councillor told a press conference in Seberang Jaya.

However, Umno information chief Annuar denied this.

“Tonight is an open event. Anyone can go. It’s an open carnival. No instructions (to UiTM) and no problem. It is a public space.

“If UiTM wants to join, no problem,” he told Malay Mail Online.

Similarly, Umno lawmaker Irmohizam Ibrahim, who sits on UiTM's board of directors, told Malaysiakini that the accusation was irresponsible.

"Actually, I have no information about this. I feel it is an irresponsible claim which can taint the good name of UiTM," he said.

During the press conference, Afif had forwarded copies of the WhatsApp message to reporters.

He also accused Umno of "tricking" the students into attending the event, which according to the WhatsApp message, was described as a “Program Sukarelawan Patriotisme” (Voluntary patriotism programme).

"The students are actually to be used to fill up the stadium," he claimed.

The PKR Youth leader demanded that the head of the university explains the reason students are allegedly given approval to be absent from lectures to attend the programme.

"Attending lectures is the main duty of a university student," he said, while demanding to know the amount of allocation put aside for the students' "recruitment" exercise.

Afif also wanted to know whether the funds to provide the students with transport, food, T-shirts and certificates, as promised in the WhatsApp message, is footed by Umno or the university involved.

The Umno gathering is expected to be a mammoth event as the party prepares for the coming general election.

The party is offering cars, motorcycles and other prizes in a lucky draw open to existing members and those who register as members today. Participants in the lucky draw must also be registered as voters.