Ismail Sabri: Mara to terminate sponsorship for Taylor’s University students

KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) will terminate the sponsorship for the next intake of students to Taylor’s University, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic).

However, the Minister for Rural and Regional Development did not name the reasons behind the revocation.

“There are many reasons,” he said, when asked whether this was following the private college terminating the services of its operator used to ferry passengers to the red shirt rally in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Social media was abuzz when a screenshot of a statement allegedly made by him went viral, ordering the Mara director-general to terminate the sponsorship of its students with immediate effect.

However, Ismail clarified that it was not him who made such a statement.

“I did not make such statement, it was discussed in the Telegram messaging group with Umno division chiefs,” he said.

Ismail said he would inform Mara director-general to review its sponsorship to Taylor’s University.

“But I would like to clarify that we will not terminate the sponsorship for existing students, as they could carry on with their studies.

“Only the next intake will be affected,” said Ismail.

On Sept 18, Taylor’s University had terminated the services of a bus operator which used vehicles bearing the university’s logo to ferry passengers to the recent Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu rally.

The university said the two-month termination notice, which takes immediate effect, was done in line with the contract of service with the third-party bus company.

“Wawasan Sutera bus services will continue to run according to the agreed schedule without disruption of services until 16 November 2015.”

Taylors University said it had yet to receive official word of the termination from Mara or the Ministry. 

"We will reserve comment for now as we have yet to hear from Mara on this matter," a spokesperson for the university said when contacted.