Why MCA is claiming a humble beginning to start off Utar? Dr Ling was asked what he meant saying humble beginning but he declined to elaborate. On the contrary he is also pushing for "expensive" courses like medical, biotechnology and engineering in the initial start. This humble beginning so far had indicated a start without proper infrastructures like a campus, accommodation facilities for students, supporting facilities, etc.

Meanwhile under our recent emergency stimulus package, we will be expecting another four new universities to be setup by the government. Publicity is very little on this four new universities while expectation is that they will turn out being similar to any of our existing public university.

However, MCA publicised Utar quite differently. Information is coming daily in bits and pieces. Some information comes rather ambiguous and difficult to make sense of. The whole project had so far remained very much a mystery with deceptions to what exactly Utar is going to turn out to be. Dr Ling should do some intensive research first before unveiling the whole Utar project.

At the moment UTAR is being publicised politically more than anything else. One knows MCA is financially strained after the Nanyang Siang Pau takeover. This strain can last for sometime before Nanyang canbreak even because of their small annual profits.

The recent stimulus package indicated that the construction of a government university costs about RM400 mil while a approximate medical degree offered by a new private college, Manipal College in Melaka is about RM25,5000 per student. I wonder where MCA is going to get funding to support and run expensive medical courses and at the same time provide subsidy to many deserving poor students?

MCA is placing high hopes on the Chinese community to support Utar by donations and fund raising campaigns. I'm not against any humble beginning from MCA but fairly disappointed with their little financial commitment. MCA should first source funding within their own party to run the university. Perhaps the public can come in later to help, if needed.

They should at least allocate some funds for Utar after having this project in mind. However, they didn't but use most of their funds in Huaren Holdings to takeover Nanyang and China Press . Perhaps MCA members can fund Utar after all by donating an average RM1,000 by each member to accumulate RM800 mil. This amount could increase by another RM800 mil from the government by asking them for ringgit-for-ringgit education grants.

I'm skeptical on MCA conducting fund raising programs. We have seen some cases of mishandling. I don't mind contributing for Utar but not in cash. I would very much prefer long term bonds even with zero coupons and zero yielding.

When the bond matures the same value is return and I can decide then whether to subscribe for new bonds if issued or otherwise. But first MCA and the government must show their contributions for the people first.

This would be a better and transparent deal for all.