ADUN SPEAKS | The MCA-controlled TARC Education Foundation (TARCEF) alleged that it has no knowledge about the sources, the legality, the purposes and the spending mechanism of the RM40 million government allocation, hence, TARUC and TARCEF refused to receive the funding.

MCA never questioned the source nor legality of the RM16.5 mil that it received from former prime minister Najib Razak during the 2013 General Election. 

The funds received by MCA has now been confirmed to be illegally misappropriated from 1MDB but MCA refused to return the funds to the government.

On the other hand, the RM40 mil to TARCian Alumni Association’s Education Trust Fund (TAA-ETF) is from government allocation. 

It is legal, reasonable and proper for the government to allocate funds to TARUC through TAA-ETF and MCA has no right to reject the allocation on behalf of the students and faculty members of TARUC.

MCA also has a superficial understanding of the concept of “separation in education and politics”. 

The party objected to the presence of the ministers and MPs of the ruling coalition in a press conference where the allocation was handed over to TAA-ETF. 

There is nothing wrong with the presence of the ministers and MPs as they are lawmakers from the ruling parties.

On the contrary, MCA has full control over TARCEF and the Board of Trustees. Its intervention and influence over the administration of TARUC is a clear breach of the principle of “separation of education and politics”.

Former President of TARUC and the Chairman of TARCian Alumni Association’s Education Trust Fund (TAA-ETF), Tan Chik Heok has stated that TARUC administration welcomes the RM40 mil allocation to help the students. 

Tan said the allocation is beneficial to the students and that he will discuss with the administration of TARUC next Monday on the details of the allocation.

Nonetheless, the MCA-controlled TARCEF foundation objected to the allocation based on the bare allegation that the source of the allocation is doubtful. 

It is regrettable and disgusting that the MCA is ready to sacrifice the interest of the society, especially the poor Chinese students, for its own political agenda.

CHONG ZHEMIN is DAP Perak publicity secretary and Keranji assemblyperson.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.