Wee: Tuition fees at TAR UC to go up following govt decision to cut matching grant

KUALA LUMPUR: Parents can expect to pay more for their children's education at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC), says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The warning comes after Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said that the government was giving RM5.5mil for the development fund instead of a RM30mil matching grant to TAR UC.

"Some may continue to whack and condemn MCA for whatever political reasons but it is our duty to ensure that our younger generation receives good quality education through these institutions.

"By not giving any matching grants, we have no choice but to increase the tuition fees," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Thursday (Nov 22).

Dr Wee said the matching grant was a commitment made to MCA by the previous administration to ensure that these institutions continue to provide quality education to the young.

"The matching grant is part of the government's subsidy so that parents will not be burdened by high tuition fees.

"Now you (Lim) are the Finance Minister and have the power to decide and yet you do not want to help simply because we are political rivals," he said.

Dr Wee questioned why the decision was made to stop giving TAR UC the matching grant.

"We just want what we are entitled to. In the past it was given to us with the undertaking by the government that they will assist.

"Why can't this be continued, why so cruel?" he added.

On Wednesday (Nov 21), Lim, when responding to Dr Wee in Parliament, said the Pakatan government advocates separation of education from politics, hence as long as TAR UC belongs to MCA, it will not consider providing the matching grant.