He said Lim should have viewed the situation objectively instead of insisting that the university-college should separate education from politics.
He said TAR UC was wholly-owned by TARC Education Foundation and not by MCA.
“It should not be seen as part of MCA’s assets,” he told reporters at a press conference at Wisma MCA today.
He also argued that MCA representatives were a minority in the board of governors and the individuals, along with those in the TAR UC’s board of trustees, served on a voluntary basis without salary.
Calling the finance minister a hypocrite, he said Lim and his colleagues used to ridicule MCA for not standing up for TAR UC when the government allocation was decreased.
“Yet, when they are in the government and holding the important portfolio of finance minister, they do away with this allocation altogether.”
‘Matching grants instrumental in keeping tuition fees low’
Wee said when TARC attained university-college status in 2012, the Cabinet proceeded with its financial assistance for TAR UC with a matching grant capped at RM60 million a year.
He added that TAR UC had received between RM30 million and RM64 million in matching grants yearly, with an additional RM5 million to RM10 million in development funds since 2012. There were no development funds in 2012 and 2018.
Wee said the matching grant was instrumental in keeping tuition fees low to enable children of low and middle-income families to pursue higher education.
The matching grants helped to balance TAR UC’s operating expenditure, including salaries for teaching staff, scholarships and bursaries, he said. A total of 3,921 students have been awarded scholarships and bursaries so far this year.
Wee further denied that MCA was being opportunistic in raising the tuition fees, saying that any organisation would strive to break even and avoid incurring losses.
“In order to do so without government support, it is normal for the institution to explore its options,” he said.
“History will remember Lim Guan Eng as the very first finance minister who terminated the matching grants for TAR UC.”
Recently, Lim had warned MCA against raising the tuition fees for TAR UC following Wee’s announcement that the fees may increase by at least 15%.
This follows the minister’s announcement that the government will be slashing funds allocated to the university-college down to RM5.5 million, from the RM30 million matching grant initially promised.