RM1mil boost to student loan funds of TAR UMT, UTAR from family of late MCA leader

KUALA LUMPUR: Two prominent local non-profit universities received a RM1mil boost to their student loan funds from the family of the late Tan Sri Wong Mook Leong.

The donation saw the establishment of permanent revolving interest-free student loan funds, each worth RM500,000 under his name, for both Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).

TAR UMT’s board of governors chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy fondly recalled his friendship with Wong, a respected MCA stalwart, whom he described as a principled leader committed in nurturing the future generation of leaders while fostering unity across Malaysia’s diverse communities.

“It is especially meaningful that we now honour Tan Sri Wong’s legacy through the establishment of this student loan fund.

“This initiative reflects his lifelong passion for empowering young Malaysians through education,” he said in his speech at the mock cheque handing over ceremony on Thursday (May 15).

Chan, who is also the Alumni Council chairman, lauded the effort by Wong’s son, Datuk Wong Shung Yen, for the donation as a meaningful way of keeping his father’s legacy alive.

Later when asked about the significance of the student loan fund, Chan said that it would help ensure that students in need at both universities will be able to complete their studies following access to the student loan fund.

“We always hold a strong view that no one should be deprived of a tertiary education because of their humble family background,” he said.

Chan recalled the challenges he faced as an undergraduate, where he had to work several part-time jobs to complete his university education.

“I worked as a part-time cook, part journalist and all kinds of work just to allow me to survive.

“No student should have to undergo such difficulty. We will try our best to help deserving students from humble families, he added

Since 1979, he said that a total of 135 student loan funds had been set up by TAR UMT, which had helped thousands of students complete their studies.

Meanwhile, Shung Yen said that both TAR UMT and UTAR represent important pillars of education in Malaysia.

“Education is a cause my late father held close to his heart,” he said in his speech before the mock cheque handing over ceremony.

He noted that the date May 15, which was chosen for the ceremony, was also very symbolic as it marked the 44th anniversary of the founding of Kojadi, one of the earliest structured student loan initiatives in the country.

“My father played a foundational role in its formation, serving on the board and helping to shape what became one of Malaysia’s most impactful education loan cooperatives,” he said.

The late Wong was known as the “conscience of MCA” and contributed to nation-building, community development and party building.

He passed away on July 30 two years ago.

The 80-year-old was a long-time MCA veteran leader who served under five former MCA presidents.

Wong, a trained lawyer, joined MCA in 1973 and served as a member of the party’s central committee for 32 years until his resignation in 2009.

He also served as Selangor MCA deputy chairman for over a decade and as the party’s education bureau.

On the level of student loan recovery over the years, both TAR UMT president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei and UTAR president Prof Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat said that the recovery rate was high.

They attributed consistent reminders on late repayments, coupled with fines, as factors for the high loan repayment level.

“You have to put in a lot of effort in maintaining the reminder system and a lot of follow-up on loan recovery, which includes personally calling them up,” Ewe added.

He also said that it was crucial to instil in the borrowers that repaying their loans would lead to a much larger number of students being helped.

Present also at the event were TAR UMT board of trustees member Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and board of governors member Datuk Chong Sin Woon.