MCA rubbishes DAP's claims party trying to 'kill' TAA

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has rubbished DAP's claims the party was trying to "kill" TARCian Alumni Association (TAA) over the proposed channelling of RM30mil trust fund announced by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

"What is the problem when I only asked why pick TAA over the other alumni.

"Why get all riled up," he told reporters at Parliament lobby on Monday (Nov 25).

Dr Wee, who is Ayer Hitam MP, said he never questioned the operation of TAA, only Lim's decision to pick it for the proposed fund.

He noted that TAA was formed some seven years ago, compared to the Federation of Tunku Abdul Rahman College Alumni Associations and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College Engineering Alumni Association Selangor, which were formed in 1989 and 1982, respectively.

Besides these two alumni, there are also Tunku Abdul Rahman College School of Art & Science Alumni Society and Tunku Abdul Rahman College School of Business Studies Ex-Students Association.

"Why didn't he choose the Federation which is a national body?" Dr Wee said.

He added that members under the Federation, totalling 116,393, have begun to question Lim's move.

"Members are starting to talk now and are asking why the Federation was not chosen," he said.

He also questioned where Lim would source the proposed RM30mil from, as it was not mentioned under any budget allocation.

"When asked by reporters on this, he (Lim) merely said the money will be from the government.

"Means you can use government money at your whim and fancy?" he added.

Dr Wee was responding to claims made by Wong Ka Woh that MCA was trying to "kill" TAA, although the party had previously recognised the alumni.

During an earlier press conference at Parliament lobby, Wong, who is Ipoh Timor MP, claimed MCA was trying to discredit TAA and suggesting it was aligned to Lim.

On Friday (Nov 22), Lim said that about RM30mil was approved to a trust fund for TAR UC and its students annually, provided that MCA relinquishes control of the institution.

The trust fund would be managed by TAA, he said.- Star