KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 ― A public university is selling an anti-hysteria kit comprising everyday items like chopsticks, salt, lime, vinegar, pepper spray, and formic acid for a whopping RM8,750 that it claims can ward off “evil spirits”.

Several local Malay dailies reported today Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) as saying that the kit, which took three years to produce, was created to address hysteria afflicting young students, typically a condition of exaggerated or uncontrollable emotions.

“In the Quran and the hadith, it has been stated that these spirits are unable to tolerate salty, sour and spicy items,” UMP vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim was quoted saying in Berita Harian, listing salt, lime, vinegar and black pepper as examples.

Daing said that the chopsticks will be used to “press down” the fingers of hysteria victims, whereas the formic acid will function like hot water to be poured around at spots where the spirits lurk.

At a press conference to launch the product at the Education Ministry's office in Putrajaya yesterday, Daing reportedly told a press conference that three of the institution's researchers, as well as one Islamic medicine expert from the Manarah Islamic Treatment Centre, were roped in for the project with test runs already completed at 11 schools.

“The items in the kit have long been used for treatment purposes. We just gave it a little edge to make it easier,” Daing said, adding that the product is also shariah compliant and free from any deviant elements.

The RM 8,750 pricing for the kit includes training for two on its usage, expert treatment services should there be no improvement in one's condition, further treatment for chronic cases, three refills for items in the kit, a ceramah session, risk management costs and online consultation services.

The varsity is also mulling establishing an Islamic medicinal lab to expand its academic and scientific research into the matter.

This is not the first time UMP has snatched headlines for its apparent interest and research in supernatural elements.

In March, through its Committee for Advanced Studies in Witchcraft Law, the university formulated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to combat the use of witchcraft.