The Akbhar Mahasiswa tabloid published an eight-page special edition - distributed yesterday on the eve of the nationwide campus polls - dedicated to condemning the anti-establishment student group in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

The reports painted the anti-establishment Student Progressive Front (SPF) as nothing short of being the number one enemy on campus.

The front-page featured an 'exclusive' report under the headline: 'UPM bully case exposed'. This was in reference to a number of recent incidents where SPF members said they were manhandled and verbally abused by the pro-establishment faction.

There were also video recordings of the incidents. However, UPM authorities later claimed that the so-called 'bullies' were merely singing songs.

The special edition said it is widely known that SPF instigated the scuffle with the help of outsiders such as rights group Suaram and Chinese-language news portal Merdekareview.com.

According to the report, this was part of the strategy to help SPF regain its waning support amongst students.

Also published was an interview with UPM student representative council president Abdul Manaf, who was among those involved in the incidents.

He claimed that SPF members had provoked the pro-establishment faction. He also said SPF was not a registered student organisation and therefore cannot hold any activities in the campus.

Racial card

Meanwhile, another report published in the special edition accused SPF of playing the racial card and being a stumbling block to integration.

It said predominantly Chinese SPF published its brochures and other materials in Mandarin only.

"What is the intention of SPF? Students who cannot read Mandarin don't understand these materials. Are they trying to disseminate chauvinism?" it added.

Another article - titled 'Outsiders dominate SPF' - claimed that the student group was being controlled by individuals outside the campus.

Their aim is to have SPF replace the Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement, another anti-establishment student group, which the tabloid said has been 'rejected' by students.

The special edition also featured interviews with two UPM hostel quartermasters Abu Sofian and Jasni Sabri, both of whom criticised SPF.

Apart from this, Akhbar Mahasiswa also attacked YouTube - the popular California-based free video hosting website as an "opposition website". This was because the video clips on the UPM scuffle were posted here.

A UPM student told malaysiakini that over the past two years, materials like the Akbhar Mahasiswa special edition, have been distributed for free in campuses on the eve of the election.

"This is a secret weapon from the 'pro-establishment' camp to influence the students," he said.

See video clip: UPM scuffle