The setting up of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) would not have been possible without the support of Malaysians, particularly the Chinese community, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik.
He said without the support it would be near impossible for him and MCA to turn a dream into a reality.
“It was a collective effort by all of us to turn that dream into a reality.
“The birth of Utar just goes to show that you are very concerned about our children's education and you have proven it with your support, be it in kind or cash.
“We should be proud of our achievement and continue to give our support to take Utar to greater heights,” he said at a Chinese New Year dinner organised by the Labis MCA Youth here on Saturday.
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More funds for Utar: Amount raised by the Segambut MCA division through its charity golf and dinner event. From left, Segambut MCA division chairman Datuk Khoo Lay Hin, Datin Seri Ena Ling, Dr Ling, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, FT MCA chairman Datuk Tan Chai Ho, and dinner organising chairman Chan Chiow Boo. |
Dr Ling, who is also Labis MP, presented a RM200,000 contribution to SKJ (C) Jagoh to help finance the construction of its new building.
The school, which is located in an estate in Bekok, 36km from here, will be relocated to a housing area near here due to a low enrolment.
Citing an increase in the number of student enrolment, Dr Ling said Utar was experiencing rapid growth over the past few months.
“We expect to enrol about 2,000 students by May and by the end of the year, we are very optimistic that the figure will double,” said Dr Ling.
In PETALING JAYA, the Segambut MCA division raised RM1,000,001 for Utar through a charity golf and dinner at the Tropicana Golf and Country Club last night.
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The president sings and raises more funds for Utar. |
Dr Ling, who received the cheque on behalf of Utar, said the university represented hope for students from the 60 independent Chinese schools nationwide to further their studies without having to leave the country.
“In the past, students from these schools had to go to countries like Taiwan to pursue tertiary education but now they can come to Utar because it (Utar) recognises their qualifications,” he said.
He added that 213 out of the 295 students who would be joining Utar this year were from Chinese independent schools.
During the function, a group of well-wishers also pledged RM150,000 to hear Dr Ling sing.
Dr Ling belted out the first few lines of the popular song Que Sera Sera in Tamil as he received vocal back-up from all those seated at his table including MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and Federal Territory MCA chairman Datuk Tan Chai Ho.
In KUALA LUMPUR, three entertainment and production houses jointly raised RM100,000 for Utar through a charity dinner held at the Six Happiness Restaurant in Jalan Kuchai Lama on Friday.
The three are Wayang Tinggi Produksi Sdn Bhd, Wayang Tinggi Entertainment Sdn Bhd and Sendi Mutiara Entertain- ment Sdn Bhd.
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