Utar issues clarification on Koon Yew Yin's RM30 million offer

IN THE INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FUTURE, UTAR SHOULD GO AND SEE KOON YEW YIN PERSONALLY AND RESOLVE ALL PENDING ISSUES AND UTILISE THE RM30 MILLION FUND FOR ERECTING A RESIDENTIAL HOME FOR ITS STUDENTS.

Philanthropist tycoon Koon Yew Yin

Utar did receive a proposal from Mr Koon Yew Yin who wished to donate RM30 million to Utar for the purpose of building hostels on the Utar campus in Perak. In Mr Koon’s letter on the proposed donation, he stated many conditions such as the setting-up of a foundation where he will be the Chairman and be in full control.

Press Statement by the Board of Trustees of the Utar Education Foundation and Utar Councilon the donation offered by Koon Yew Yin

The Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) is a tertiary education institution wholly-owned by the Utar Education Foundation with a tax-exemption status whereby all donations from the public, be it big or small, are welcome.

Since its inception, the Utar Education Foundation has received donations and contributions from individuals and corporations with no conditions attached.

Many people are supporting education selflessly for a good cause. For instance, all members of the Board of Trustees of the Utar Education Foundation and Utar Council serve on a voluntary basis to contribute to the planning and development of Utar and they are not paid any remuneration or allowance.

Utar campus in PJ, Section 13

We wish to assure the public that all donations to the Utar Education Foundation are handled and managed with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.

The Board of Trustees and Utar Council thank the public, corporations and privateindividuals for their interest in UTAR. We hope they will continue to support us.

Utar did receive a proposal from Mr Koon Yew Yin who wished to donate RM30 million to Utar for the purpose of building hostels on the Utar campus in Perak. In Mr Koon’s letter on the proposed donation, he stated many conditions such as the setting-up of a foundation where he will be the Chairman and be in full control.

For specific kinds of donations such as Mr Koon’s proposed donation where there are many conditions, the Board of Trustees and Utar Council would require time to study the details and legal implications in order to decide in the best interest of the university.

There was a series of face-to-face discussions and correspondence via email between representatives of the Board of Trustees and Utar Council and Mr Koon to discuss the terms and conditions of his proposed donation.

A lawyer was then appointed to study all the conditions and the legal implications.

The Board of Trustees and Utar Council in their letter dated 15 December 2009 to Mr Koon informed him that they “will accept your donation of RM30 million for the stated purpose in accordance with the established practice and tradition of Utar.”

From the above chronology of events, it is clear that discussions are ongoing between the Board of Trustees and Utar Council and Mr Koon, and to say that the university has not responded to Mr Koon’s proposed donation is unreasonable.

In spite of the effort by the Board of Trustees and Utar Council to continue discussing with Mr Koon, he continues to issue press statements, articles and e-mails in the Internet and social networking media with many allegations and insinuations, not pursuing to a conclusion.

If Mr Koon wishes to donate his money without conditions to Utar, the Board of Trustees and Utar Council are happy to accept. However, the Board of Trustees and Utar Council will have no objection for him to donate to other good causes.

The Board of Trustees of the Utar Education Foundation and Utar Council