Want to dine and spend a night at a luxury hotel? Here's one way to do it - become a pro-government candidate in the campus polls.

Malaysiakini learnt that scores of university students were booked into a four-star hotel in Petaling Jaya last weekend as part of a gratuitous gesture by the government.

The 42 students from Universiti Malaya (UM) are running as pro-government candidates in this Thursday's nationwide campus elections.

A check revealed that the bill, which passed the RM5,000 mark, was footed by the Selangor Menteri Besar's office, or in other words, taxpayer's money.

Malaysiakini was able to verify that the students checked into the Crystal Crown Hotel on Sunday. They later dined at the hotel restaurant.

Thirty-two rooms - including several located on the highest level known as the 'executive summit floor'- were booked.

However, it could not be confirmed if any progammes had been conducted for the students.

This development is the latest in an organised effort on the government's part to ensure that the opposing faction, or anti-establishment students, lose all seats in the campus polls.

Workshop for students

Sources also confirmed that a character-building workshop was organised by UM administration on Sept 12-13 at the Pearl International Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Called the 'entrepreneurship workshop', it focussed on public speaking skills and the importance of teamwork.

According to sources, the vast majority of those present at the workshop were from the pro-government faction, including those shortlisted as candidates.

UM deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Prof Dr Mohd Razali Agus and other officials , including from Umno Youth, were also present. In all public universities, these deputy vice-chancellors double as the election committee chairperson.

Like their counterparts in other public universities, UM's anti-establishment faction - known as GMUM (Gagasan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya) - is expected to face an uphill struggle .

Out of the total 41 seats, the pro-government faction has won six uncontested while their rivals took two.

Unlike last year, where 'anti-establishment' students boycotted the polls in five top universities after complaining about unfair election rules, this year only Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) will see a boycott.

When contacted Mohd Razali said he was busy and will only be able to comment next week.