The search is on for Universiti Malaya's next 'Political Idol'.

Ten political personalities have been shortlisted and it is up to UM hostel students to choose their idol through a compulsory survey.

It is unsure if there are any prizes for the winner.

Among the candidates are Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his deputy Najib Abdul Razak as well as opposition figures such as PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

The dark horse of this 'competition' seems to be controversial Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria.

Several respondents of the survey told malaysiakini they had no clue who Harussani Zakaria was.

Survey respondents were ordered to place scores between one to 10, with ten being the highest next to the names of the 10 personalities based on how much they are 'interested ( minati )' in those individuals.

The popularity contest is part of a five-page survey - marked 'sulit' (secret) - distributed to UM hostel students on Tuesday [see below]. They were given 24 hours to complete the task.

The survey was given to the students by the university's hostel management.

Political questions

Respondents are also required to fill in their personal details, parents' names, occupation and monthly earnings. Other questions asked in the survey were highly political in nature.

For example, students were asked to explain their understanding of Islam Hadhari, or civilisational Islam, a concept mooted by the current prime minister.

Another question asked respondents to write about the "influence" of opposition parties on students.

The respondents were also asked for their opinion on whether the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA), a strict law which bars political participation of students, ought to be amended or preserved.

Other questions related to campus politics and had asked respondents on their views of the pro-government student faction ( Aspirasi ) and the anti-establishment Muslim Students Association (PMI).

Campus poll looms

PMI president Mohd Dzulkhairi Mohd Noor when contacted believes that the survey was related to the upcoming campus polls.

It is believed that the university administration is seeking to gather information on the political sentiments of the students ahead of the hotly contested campus polls expected to be held next week.

Asked why PMI was singled out of the many registered student groups in UM, Dzulkhairi said it was because the group was a dominant association on campus.

"It's not just the survey. Over the past months, flyers were being distributed on campus and in hostels accusing us of being involved with (opposition party) PAS, when we did not," he said.

PMI and other student groups are often pitted against alleged government sponsored student movement, known better as Aspirasi, during campus polls.

The polls, usually held simultaneously in all public universities nationwide, are expected to take place Sept 12 ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

UM officials could not be contacted for comment on the survey. They are believed to be tied up in the ongoing convocation ceremonies which end on Sunday.