9 November 2018

Remnants of the Past: Affordable education beyond Budget 2019

The highly-anticipated Budget 2019 was unveiled by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on November 2nd, and much of the Malaysian Chinese community are jubilant about the outcome. We welcome the fact that Chinese independent secondary schools are finally included in the federal budget, which will be receiving funds up to RM12 million. Many sing high praises of the Pakatan Harapan government and ridicule the previous regime for failing at this for 60 years.

But, should we? Is the Budget really all that beneficial to the education of our people? After all, there’s a wise Chinese proverb telling us, “The wool comes off the sheep’s back”.

Turns out, it’s true. In the end, the “wool” had to still come out from the education of Malaysian Chinese. Many are so ecstatic about the inclusion of the independent schools that they missed the fact that the allocation for the non-profit, multiracial Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) has been severely clipped. From RM30 million last year, down to a measly RM5.5 million. This is a cut of over 80%.

A 10-15% increase in tuition fees appears unavoidable to sustain operations of the university college.

For many non-Bumiputeras, TAR UC is their one and only hope in acquiring affordable, quality tertiary education. What Pakatan Harapan’s maiden budget has done is to pull the carpet from under tens of thousands of students still studying there, and place a blockade on all young people seeking affordable tertiary education.

Budget 2019: TAR UC’s Golden Jubilee celebrations melt away 

TAR UC was established back in 1969 to make tertiary education accessible to all Malaysians. It has since become world renowned for its accounting and business courses, setting new records with every so often, in addition to maintaining its stellar and consistent track record in turning out top students. 

It was neither a profit-making arm nor a political tool of MCA. Pledging support for our party was never considered as a prerequisite upon enrolment or graduation; it would have been preposterous to politicise education. We are proud to say that we have kept the institution free of politics, where students are free to hold any political beliefs; many, if not, most of them voted for PH during the fateful GE14.

Ironically, in a cruel twist of events, these students were punished by the very government they voted for.

In fact, tertiary education funding has become the whipping boy of Budget 2019. Allocations for scholarships (including JPA, MARA, MOE, MOH) are down across the board including. PTPTN holders will also no longer be accorded discounts for exceptional academic performances, and repayments will be forcibly cut away from their salary.

What happened there in Budget 2019? While we have all been informed that this will be a budget of sacrifice, but to actually sacrifice education? That’s mightily short-sighted of our Ministers.

Next year come February, TAR UC will turn 50. Under the current political and economic circumstances, I fear that affordable, quality education may quickly become a thing of the past.

Sabah TAR UC set to commence in 2019

Turning to the Land Below the Wind, the new TAR UC Sabah purpose-built campus constructed potentially accommodate about 3,000 students, will be making its debut early next year. This cut in allocation will not bode well for our Sabahan students who would otherwise have been able to enjoy quality affordable education in its first private university with modern amenities, ‘green’ surroundings while still located within 5km from the CBD

Dr Pamela Yong
Wanita MCA Sabah Chairman
MCA Central Committee Member

-MCA online-