YONG PENG, July 6 — Wee Ka Siong has urged the federal government to restore the originally announced 10-year tax exemption for the Tunku Abdul Rahman Education Foundation, arguing that the move is crucial to ensuring affordable higher education for students from all backgrounds yesterday.
Speaking at the “Maju Johor – Yong Peng People’s Rally” on Sunday night, the MCA president confirmed media reports that the Foundation’s tax exemption period had been reduced from the promised 10 years to only three years.
Wee said the reduction contradicted a public announcement made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his visit to Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in February, when he announced that education foundations would receive a 10-year tax exemption.
According to Wee, the Ministry of Finance later issued an official letter in June granting the Foundation a tax exemption of only three years instead of the promised decade.
He said he would continue to appeal to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance to reinstate the Foundation’s full 10-year tax exemption, stressing that the measure is essential to help TAR UMT continue providing quality tertiary education at affordable fees, particularly for underprivileged students regardless of race.
Wee also argued that education should not be politicised, urging the MADANI government not to take actions that could affect educational opportunities for the younger generation.
During the rally, Wee also called on voters in Yong Peng to support Barisan Nasional candidate Ling Tian Soon in the upcoming Johor state election.
He praised Ling’s 16 years of service to the Yong Peng community, saying the incumbent had remained committed to serving residents even after losing the seat in 2018 before regaining it in the 2022 Johor state election.
Wee urged voters to once again back Ling in order to ensure the continuity of development and progress in Yong Peng.
— MINUTESMY
