Campus politics took another twist at Universiti Malaya (UM) as the 'anti-establishment' faction claimed that the authorities had allowed its rivals to use a van belonging to the university.

About 6.30am yesterday, third-year student Nor Hafiz Oslan and four other members of the Malaysian Islamic Students Association (PMI) noticed seven students tearing down campaign banners put up by the so-called 'anti-establishment' group.

Polls will be held in all 17 public universities tomorrow to elect student representatives for the coming year from either the pro- or anti-establishment faction.

The seven, said to be from the 'pro-establishment' group, was spotted moving around in a van belonging to the Third Residential College.

Nor Hafiz contacted two security officers for assistance - his group also tried to block the van with their motorcycles to prevent the students from leaving the scene.

However, the driver did not stop and the van knocked into Nor Hafiz, who had minor injuries on his left arm.

His group then helped the officers to take the driver and passengers to the security office, but he is less than optimistic that university authorities will take any action.

Nor Hafiz lodged a police report at the Jalan Bandar station in Kuala Lumpur this morning, while PMI president Azlan Zainal said the matter may be taken to court if there is no action.

When contacted today, PMI member Ahmad Shahir (right, in photo) claimed that the driver of the van did not have a driving licence.

"That is worrying. How could the university allow him to use an official vehicle without a licence?" he asked.

"And how could it allow the vehicle to be used for such activities? This is a clear sign that the Department of Students' Affairs and the 'pro-establishment' group is working together."

'Minor accident'

UM deputy vice-chancellor Azarae Idris said the incident was "just a minor accident", and denied that a university vehicle was involved.

"It is not the university van, it belongs to the Third Residential College and I refused to see it as a 'pro-establishment' faction versus 'anti-establishment' matter," he said when contacted.

Asked to clarify the difference between a 'university van' and one belonging to a residential college, he evaded the question.

He also refused to respond when asked why a student without a valid driving licence had been allowed to use the vehicle.

Campus polls are rife with allegations of irregularities and intimidation, with the 'anti-establishment' faction claiming every year that university authorities are unfair to its candidates.

The 'pro-government' faction has its own complaint - that its rivals advocate the agenda of social activists and opposition parties.

In 2005, the 'anti-establishment' faction in five universities boycotted the campus elections.