KUALA LUMPUR: A RM2mil revolving fund has been planned by the MCA to provide interest-free loans to deserving students of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar).
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik said he would propose the fund at a meeting here next Friday.
The money would be from the party's education fund, the Chang Ming Thien Foundation, he told reporters after an hour-long presidential meeting at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
Dr Ling, who heads the fund, said it was discussed at the council meeting.
The recruitment of students into Utar, particularly bumiputeras, was also discussed.
He said a team under Utar would visit secondary schools nationwide to brief teachers and students on the recruitment.
On the party's internal squabbles, which started after the 1999 general election, Dr Ling said the “undercurrents” (party leaders and members who are critical of the party's direction) had turned into little friendly streams.”
He said people were tired of “destructive or unconstructive agendas,” adding that Utar was far too important to be undermined by “undercurrents” in the party.
“We (MCA) managed to go on despite a few undercurrents and streams here and there because we have the stability, manpower and resources to do so,” he added.
Dr Ling announced seven new appointments, including that of five national bureau chairmen: Datuk Wong See Wah (publicity), Datuk Tan Chai Ho (public complaints and services), Datuk Chor Chee Heung (international affairs), Datuk Lim Si Cheng (parliamentarians and senators) and Chew Mei Fun (senior citizens).
Wong was also appointed chief co-ordinator for programmes to raise funds for Utar while Datuk Hon Choon Kim, who is Deputy Education Minister, was appointed to head a national task force to handle enquiries from students or parents on admission to local universities.
Dr Ling said Hon would also appoint task force leaders at state level, who would have hotlines to handle enquiries.
The hotline numbers would be announced soon, he said.
The council will hold the party's national-level annual general assembly on July 19.
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