‘Dr M is wrong, MCA’s TARC, UTAR for all’

Gerakan says former prime minister Dr Mahathir was inaccurate in suggesting that the institutions of higher education was only for one race.

GEORGE TOWN: The government’s recognition of MCA-run Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) was because of its high academic standards and not to fish for Chinese votes, said Gerakan today.

Gerakan refuted claims by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that both TARC and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) catered for only the education needs of the Chinese.

Gerakan vice-president Dr Teng Hock Nan insisted that the government’s recognition of UTAR degrees and TARC diplomas, both MCA establishments, proved that the two education institutions were of high academic standards.

He said the recognition was based on quality and merits of the graduates and the curriculum matches the requirements of the nation’s academic standard, and not based on any political consideration.

He brushed aside Mahathir’s tacit suggestions that TARC and UTAR only catered education needs of ethnic Chinese.

“Both institutions are for all Malaysians, not just for any race,” noted Teng, who is also Penang Gerakan chief.

He said the academic standards of TARC were recognised by both domestic private sector and international universities for degree and post-graduate courses.

He urged the people to meticulously analyse Mahathir’s statements in relation to politics and issues, some of which were not in line with the Barisan Nasional’s 1Malaysia concept.

In praising MCA’s enormous contributions for the country’s education growth, he said Gerakan fully backed its BN ally for establishing TARC and UTAR to give Malaysians opportunities to pursue higher education.

Last month Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak announced that TARC diplomas and higher diplomas would be recognised by the Public Service Department (PSD).

Mahathir was quick to criticise it as BN’s concession to win over crucial ethnic Chinese votes in the next polls.

On Thursday, MCA said Mahathir’s claims was inaccurate as TARC’s high education standards have been proven by its students’ success and achievements over the years.