A few students from a local university have been accepted as members of Puteri Umno.

A Universiti Sains Malaysia undergraduate told malaysiakini that she had signed up for Puteri Umno membership at a counter in Bukit Jambul Complex, Bayan Baru, last month.

"I paid RM2 for membership fees and was later invited to join their leadership programme," said the third-year student who requested anonymity.

She did not attend the programme due to her busy study schedule.

"I did ask the people at the counter if university students can join politics. They said Puteri Umno does not really run political programmes but more on motivational and leadership," the 22-year-old student added.

She said her friends who submitted their applications at the same time have also had their membership confirmed over the phone recently.

The Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (as amended in 1974) states very clearly that university students are prohibited from joining any political party.

Last week, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned students who were involved in anti-government activities could be expelled from universities.

To date, two student activists have been arrested under the Internal Security Act for being a "threat to national security".

Students not allowed to join party

When contacted, a high-ranking USM official who refused to be named said that "Section 15 (1) (ii) of the UUCA is very clear, that students are not allowed to join any political party".

"This should apply to all political parties and not only the opposition," he added.

The deputy vice-chancellor for student affairs, Assoc Prof Jamaluddin Mohaiadin, could not be reached for comment.

A Puteri Umno official who requested to be known only as Mazariah said the organisation will register any young woman between ages 18 to 35.

"We do not mind their background. All we're concerned is that they are young women between the ages of 18 and 35," she said, refusing to disclose membership figures thus far.

The organisation's target is to get 1.5 million members by the end of the year.

The women wing is said to be Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad's brainchild, intended to complement the Umno Youth wing headed by Hishammuddin Hussein, and the women's wing headed by Rafidah Aziz.

Azalina Othman, who is also supreme council member, was appointed the head of Puteri Umno when it was formed last November. The organisation is expected to be officiated by Mahathir on Aug 3 this year.