Latest news with #MCAYouth
The Star
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
MCA launches new service centre in Johor
JOHOR BARU: MCA has launched a new service centre in Taman Perling to boost grassroots engagement and better serve local residents, particularly working adults who struggle to access assistance during regular hours. The centre, led by Nicol Tan Hiang Kee, who also serves on the Iskandar Puteri City Council, will operate by appointment to provide flexible support for community members seeking help with paperwork or local issues. The centre was launched by MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon (pic), who said the party's strength lies in its consistent service to the people, regardless of electoral outcomes. 'Serving the people has always been MCA's core principle. Whether we win or lose elections, our commitment remains unchanged,' he said during the event yesterday. Ling praised party leaders such as Johor MCA deputy Youth chief Chua Jian Boon and Tan herself for continuing to serve their communities even after contesting unsuccessfully in previous elections. He also noted that the new service centre reflects MCA's ongoing efforts to stay connected with the grassroots. 'Whether it's at coffeeshops, markets, or wherever the people are, it is easy to find representatives from MCA,' he added. Addressing recent public concerns, Ling said MCA would continue to speak up on issues such as the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax and the SPM grade distinctions. 'Some policies may have inadvertently affected certain groups. That is when representatives must speak up,' he said.
The Star
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Deserving students priced out
Cause for concern: Dr Wee (centre) showing a list of courses run by several public universities with higher tuition fees offered through the open entry route during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. With him are (from left) MCA Youth national exco Tay Kok Wea, Wanita MCA Beliawanis chief Ivonne Low Yi Wen, Wanita MCA deputy chief Tee Hooi Ling and Wanita MCA Selangor Beliawanis bureau chief Joclyn Leong Fong Yi. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The rising reliance on direct or open entry routes into public universities is drawing criticism for creating financial barriers that exclude deserving students, especially those from underprivileged and middle-income backgrounds. 'We must re-evaluate this system when public universities begin to act like private institutions, moving away from their noble goal of helping bright students, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds, succeed,' MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said at a press conference yesterday. He said the issue now extends beyond Universiti Malaya (UM), as other institutions such as Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia are also adopting similar practices. Dr Wee said the way these open channels operate is concerning, as it prioritises financial capability over academic merit, undermining the foundational ethos of public education. On Tuesday, Dr Wee highlighted UM's sharp fee increase under its Saluran Terbuka Universiti Malaya direct admission channel. For the 2025/2026 session, fees for medical and other critical courses soared by 67.1%, rising from RM299,200 to RM500,000. In contrast, students entering via the government-subsidised UPUOnline channel pay only RM15,000 for the same programme. Dr Wee noted that many parents had contacted him to share their concerns after he brought attention to the UM case. 'Their children applied through the UPUOnline system, only to receive an acceptance offer contingent on paying up to RM300,000 through the open channel. 'This financial burden is insurmountable for most families, turning what should be a joyous occasion into one of despair,' he said. Dr Wee stressed that public universities are funded by taxpayers, with Parliament approving annual budgets to cover staff salaries and operational costs. While acknowledging that the funding may not be sufficient for all development expenses, he said this should not come at the expense of deserving students who qualify through the UPUOnline system. Citing a previous parliamentary reply, Dr Wee said 19% to 40% of public university placements now come from open channels, highlighting a systemic issue that could erode the very foundation of Malaysia's public education system. 'I firmly believe that UPUOnline should remain the primary and most important channel for enrolment in public universities. 'This ensures admissions are based on merit rather than financial ability, thus promoting social mobility and allowing underprivileged students to transform their lives through quality and affordable education,' he said. The current trajectory, he warned, risks turning the education system into an elitist one, where only the financially privileged can access quality education. Dr Wee said the total cost of completing a medical degree at a public university has surged from about RM300,000 to over RM500,000, exceeding the fees charged by some private institutions. 'Similar hikes of 20% to 30% have been observed in other professional courses like law, raising questions as to whether public universities still prioritise talent development or have shifted towards a quasi-private model. 'While direct admissions can exist, public universities should expand their intake instead of using slots meant for UPUOnline students,' he said. Dr Wee urged the government to establish a royal commission of inquiry to review these practices. 'We cannot allow financial capability to replace academic merit in determining university admissions. 'The government should intervene immediately to prevent further inequality in access to higher education. 'It should remain a public right, not a privilege,' he said, calling for the open channel intake to be halted.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
MCA launches new service centre in JB to boost grassroots engagement
JOHOR BARU: MCA has launched a new service centre in Taman Perling to boost grassroots engagement and better serve local residents, particularly working adults who struggle to access assistance during regular hours. The centre, led by Nicol Tan Hiang Kee, who also serves as an Iskandar Puteri City Council councillor, will operate by appointment to provide flexible support for community members seeking help with paperwork or local issues. The centre was launched by MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon, who said the party's strength lies in its consistent service to the people, regardless of electoral outcomes. 'Serving the people has always been MCA's core principle. Whether we win or lose elections, our commitment remains unchanged,' he said during the event on Friday (June 27). Ling praised party leaders such as Johor MCA deputy Youth chief Chua Jian Boon and Tan herself for continuing to serve their communities even after contesting unsuccessfully in previous elections. He also noted that the new service centre reflects MCA's ongoing efforts to stay connected with the grassroots. 'Whether it's at coffee shops, markets, or wherever the people are, it is easy to find representatives from MCA.' Addressing recent public concerns, Ling said MCA would continue to speak up on issues such as the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax and the SPM grade distinctions. "Some policies may have inadvertently affected certain groups. That is when representatives must speak up," he said.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Young people are welcome to express opinions without going too far, says MCA Youth chief
JOHOR BARU: Youths are encouraged to have differing opinions, but these should be expressed without going overboard, says MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon. He said youths, especially university students, tend to have opinions that diverge from those of the establishment. 'This is normal. Youths have the right to speak their mind – in fact, they are encouraged to do so through the right channels, such as rallies, without going overboard,' he said after a financial aid presentation ceremony here on Monday (June 23). ALSO READ: KK anti-graft rally ends in controversy after attendees burn huge placard Ling, who is also a Johor executive councillor, was asked to comment on the actions of university students in Sabah who burned a placard bearing the likeness of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday (June 22). The two-day Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally, organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah students, took a controversial turn after protesters burned the image. PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim also called out the protestors, calling their actions excessive and rude.
The Star
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
‘I was voicing concerns'
In solidarity: Wong (front row, fourth from left) arriving at Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur. With her in the front row are (from second left) Chan, Kamarudin, Low and Tan. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star Cops quiz MCA Youth chief over post on data collection KUALA LUMPUR: Pahang MCA Youth chief Wong Siew Mun is under police investigation for allegedly causing public alarm and misusing network facilities following her comments on the government's collection of mobile phone data. Her lawyer Kamarudin Ahmad said police revealed that the investigation is being carried out under Section 505 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Wong arrived at Bukit Aman at about 10.45am yesterday, accompanied by a legal team led by Kamarudin and about 20 MCA Youth members. She met with investigators shortly after and spent about two hours giving her statement. Wong was summoned by police after posting a video on TikTok on June 6 questioning the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) move to collect mobile phone data from telecommunications companies. The MCMC reportedly said the data, which included IP call records and geolocation coordinates, would be anonymised and used to support policymaking in the ICT and tourism sectors. The commission stressed that no individual user could be identified through the data collected. 'The video I posted was based on factual reports by mainstream media and official statements from a minister and a government agency confirming the data collection,' Wong told reporters before entering Bukit Aman. 'I was merely voicing public concerns, with no intention of inciting unrest or disrupting public order. When the public voices its grievances, the government should look into its own weaknesses and enhance its policies, not find ways to silence us,' she added. Kamarudin called on MCMC to withdraw its police report and cease the investigation. Wong later revealed that police were investigating two videos she had uploaded on the same issue. Both Wong and Kamarudin also commended the police for their professionalism throughout the process. Also present at Bukit Aman were MCA publicity bureau chairman Chan Quin Er, her deputy Ivone Low and Selangor MCA Youth chief Tan Jie Sen. Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the party stood firmly behind Wong and would provide legal assistance in her efforts to defend the people's right to freedom of expression. Dr Wee said on Facebook that Wong's comments were based on a report published by the South China Morning Post.
