GEORGE TOWN: MCA is still waiting for Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng to respond to the issue of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) remaining "close" to non-bumiputras.

Its president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) said Lim had been dragging his feet on the issue for two months.

"Is he trying to maintain the admission restrictions into public universities, while at the same time, 'suppressing' Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) further?''

"The new government, when they were in the opposition, had always considered such matter as unfair and unjust.

It was earlier reported that UiTM vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Hassan Said had said that the university would still retain its original policy to accept Malays and bumiputra only.

He was quoted as saying the policy was still relevant given that many Malays and bumiputras especially those from underprivileged families in rural areas who still need UiTM.

Dr Wee questioned that while the federal government has been wholly subsidising or even increasing the allocation for UiTM, how could they cut off the administrative allocation of TAR UC to "zero".

"The TAR UC has been benefiting the Chinese community," he said.

Under Budget 2019, Lim did not allocate any annual matching grant for TAR UC. The university college had been receiving the matching grants since 1969, and they were used for operating expenses and to keep tuition fees low.

Dr Wee said as long as the admission restrictions for public universities was not abolished, and that UiTM remained "close" to non-bumiputras, the existence of TAR UC remains vital in producing high achievers for the country.

-The Star-