Iylia Marsya Iskandar
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has disbursed RM40 million in funds for Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) this year to help people pursue their education at an affordable rate.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the allocation would help the non-profit private university with its operational expenses.
This, he said, would also help students by shielding them from potential fee increases.
"Immediately after the unity government was formed, I had a discussion with the prime minister and on the unity government leadership, we have agreed for the annual commitment made by the previous administration to continue.
"Last year, I also came here to present the RM40 million allocation. For this year, as usual, after the university administration has submitted a request, the Finance Ministry has approved it on Feb 22.
"On March 8, the funds were directly transferred to TAR UMT's bank account. Today, I present the cheque and approval letter as a symbolic gesture," he said at the cheque presentation ceremony to TAR UMT by the government.
Loke delivered the cheque on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, to the university management.
Loke said with this annual commitment, the government would help cover a part of the university operational costs including salaries of staff and lecturers, and utility bills.
"The government sees that the allocation could help the fees for students in TAR UMT to remain affordable," he said adding that he hoped the allocations would be used well.
TAR UMT board of governors and alumni council chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy said the university appreciated the financial aid.
He said this was in line with the cabinet's decision on Dec 5, 2012 to guarantee annual financial support to TAR UMT.
He said the university had 128 student loan funds and since its inception, more than 15,000 loans, valued at about RM62 million, had been disbursed to underprivileged students.