Due to 'interference' from opposition parties, the police and not the government will announce the outcome of the investigation into the fire that gutted Universiti Malaya's Dewan Tunku Canselor more than five months ago.

The decision was made at a recent post-cabinet meeting, said Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister M Kayveas at the Dewan Rakyat today.

"If the police need time, the ministry will wait," he told the House in response to a question by Mohamad Sabu (PAS-Kuala Kedah), popularly known as Mat Sabu.

The police will decide when and where to reveal their findings on the report, Kayveas added.

Mat Sabu had asked the ministry about the outcome of the report by the Fire and Rescue Department on the June 29 fire and when it will be officially revealed.

The fire department's report, completed on July 9, had been handed over to the ministry and the police on July 12.

In July, police interviewed at least 33 people, including students, university staff and lecturers, but said they needed more time while awaiting the final reports from the fire department, Tenaga Nasional and the Chemistry Department

Irresponsible statements

In Parliament today, Mat Sabu also inquired whether the delay in making the report public had anything to do with the interference from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Puteri Umno head Azalina Othman Said.

Both had implied that the fire was caused by students involved in underground and militant activities linked to the opposition.

Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi (PAS-Kuala Terengganu) said both Mahathir and Azalina had uttered very irresponsible statements about university students when the investigation revealed by the fire department indicated that the problem was due to faulty wires.

"The allegations have put students and lecturers in a bad light, implying they are extremists and fanatics," he said.

"Now the prime minister and Puteri Umno have washed their hands off [their allegations]," he added.

Meanwhile, Kayveas stood by his earlier press statement that the fire was caused by an act of sabotage.

"It is my subjective view that it was a case of sabotage and I still maintain my stand," he told the opposition.