By Teoh El Sen
Free Malaysia Today
SAT, 25 SEP 2010
PETALING JAYA: In August 2009, philanthropist Koon Yew Yin offered to donate RM30 million to Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) to build hostels with recreational facilities at its Kampar campus in Perak.
But there has been no response from Utar to the generous gesture. Koon, 77, then withdrew his offer on Sept 12, this year.
However, on Sept 13, Utar’s board of trustees and council said it did not accept the RM30 million donation because of the “many conditions (imposed) such as setting up a foundation where he (Koon) will be chairman and be in full control over the spending of his money”.
Then on Sept 14, Utar issued a statement saying it did not turn down Koon’s offer but was still discussing it.
But Koon, who called for a press conference here yesterday, rubbished the claim he wanted to exercise full control over his money.
“Ever since I made my written RM30 million donation offer on Aug 18 last year, the Utar authorities have been using various means to delay accepting my offer. Now they have informed the public that the delay is because I want full control over the spending of my money,” said Koon.
“This is factually incorrect and misleading. Even if I had wanted control, common sense would dictate that I should have some control. But I did not say that,” he said.
“So, what is the true reason (for not accepting my offer)?” asked Koon, the founder of three leading development companies — IJM Corporation Bhd, Gamuda Bhd and Mudajaya Group Bhd.
He suspects that the truth has to do with “those real estate developers Utar is protecting”.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out ,” said Koon, a retired chartered engineer.
“The public must demand that MCA and the Utar authorities explain why the latter is protecting the real estate developers who are making unprecedented profits (building the campus). Who’s pocket did all the money go to?” asked Koon, who declined to name the developers.
A check by FMT showed that tin-mining tycoon-turned-developer Hew See Tong owned huge portion of properties in Kampar, which are near the campus. Hew is also a former MCA Kampar MP and adviser to UTAR (for planning and development).
Puzzling and disrespectful
What riles Koon is that the Kampar Utar does not have a single hostel within its campus, thus forcing students to find off-campus accommodation.
“It is unthinkable for any self-respecting university not to have adequate accommodations. All these years, why have they no plans to build hostels? Why are students forced to stay outside?” asked Koon’s architect, Lee Thean Hock, who had previously volunteered architectural work to build the hostels for free.
Koon’s trustee Lim Teck Ghee said: “It’s not every Sunday that someone makes such an offer (RM30 million). It’s quite remarkable. He (Koon) is not expecting any kind of reward. Under these circumstances, you would expect any organisation to grab it. But Utar is dragging its feet.”
“To observers, it is not only puzzling but disrespectful. Some may say it’s due to incompetence or even, stupidity,” said Lim, who is also Centre for Policy Initiative director.
Koon said that after waiting patiently for more than six months since his initial offer, he received an invitation to meet the Utar authorities on March 1, this year. The meeting was held at the Kampar campus.
Also in attendace were Koon’s trustees Teck Ghee and Tan Kit Pheng; architect Thean Hock; Lau Yin Pin, chairman of the Utar Trustee; Professor Chuah Hean Teik, Utar president; Fu Ah Kiow, Utar council member; and Dr Tan Kee Kong, Utar registrar.
“At that meeting, I agreed to allow Utar to have control over the donation and project as shown in my final written offer,” said Koon, who had amended the terms of his donation in response to suggestions by Chuah.
Chuah had proposed two clauses that gave Utar four members in a seven-member task force to monitor the spending of the RM30 million. Koon was also to be an adviser who could appoint three other members.
“I accepted these new conditions, which proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was prepared to allow Utar control over the spending of my money.
“My role was to be as adviser and not to be the chairman and be in full control as alleged. There is no power there, only an advisory role.
“The most crucial point was that they wanted four members in the committee, and I agreed,” said Koon.
He said that after the meeting ended on an optimistic note, he was given the impression that the acceptance of his donation was a formality and that it would be quickly acted upon.
“I waited more than a year for Utar’s reply but in vain. Any donor in any part of the world would have lost his patience. As a result, I withdrew my offer.”
“Utar’s refusal to accept my RM30 million donation for building hostels within the campus is so ridiculous. As a result, thousands of students and parents will suffer and they will not forget that the MCA controls Utar,” said Koon, who also said he planned to find another worthy charity cause to channel the RM30 million.
‘Are you joking’
Koon also questioned why MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek had declared that he preferred not to get involved in this Utar cause.
Asked why he had imposed conditions at all when he could have let the university have a free hand to run the show, he said: “Do you know who’s the chairman of Utar and others who are from the MCA? Do you feel comfortable to give RM30 million to them… do whatever they want with my money…?”
Koon, who declared that he was no politician but simply someone who wanted to do charity, was appalled that Utar “continues to ignore the pressing issue of the housing needs of the students”.
On whether he would still consider extending his offer to Utar again, he said: “Are you joking?”
Currently, there are about 12,500 students in Kampar and the student population is increasing at about 2,000 every year. On average, each student is paying about RM2,000 on rental accomodation a year.
The Perak government gave 1,300 acres of land to develop the Kampar campus. Work started in 2003 and the first intake was in 2007. Up till now only about 200 acres have been used.
At the start of every semester, the students would individually have to secure their own accommodation. At present, the 9,500 Utar students enrolled in the main Perak campus are living in various rented houses in Kampar.
Koon had offered his donation after he received confirmation that Utar has no plans to build hostels. He attached one proviso: all the net profit from rents will go towards building more hostels. No part of the profits will accrue to him.
This year, Koon has allocated a RM1 million scholarship to poor Utar students.
The following is my (Koon’s) original donation offer made on Aug 18, 2009:
Proposed hostel development within Utar campus, Kampar
I wish to donate RM30 million to Utar for a hostel development within the Utar campus on the following conditions:
• I solemnly declare that all the benefits derived from this hostel development are only for Utar in Kampar and not for my personal gain.
• A foundation to be set up under the control of a board of directors with me as chairman and four directors to be appointed by Utar council with my approval.
• The main object is to provide suitable accommodation with recreational facilities for Utar students within the campus.
The rental rate must be sustainable and competitive. The return from the investment must be able to generate a profit of at least RM1 million a year for scholarships to help poor students and additional funds for maintenance and new development.
Advantages of hostel and recreational facilities within the campus:
• To help students, especially new ones, to solve their immediate accommodation problem.
• Hostel environment is more conducive for learning and the development of human relationships.
• Currently, the 9, 500 Utar students are scattered all over Kampar and the university has practically no control over them after lectures. They are free to drink and gamble as much as they like. Moreover, they have the constant worry of their landlords kicking them out or they have to find new accommodation before the start of the next semester. Can you imagine living with this constant fear while you are burdened with lectures, examinations and financial difficulties? This situation cannot continue if the Utar council has a good alternative.
• University students are always burdened with a lot of difficulties and some students will develop irreversible psychological problem. Studies have shown that living in hostel have many advantages including the reduction of dropouts.
• Living in university hostel is the most pleasurable period of a student’s life. The hostel facilities will generate happiness and comradeship among fellow students. As a result, students are better prepared to face the competitive world after their graduation.
After having waited more than six months for Utar’s acceptance of my donation, on March 1, 2010 , I met Lau Yin Pin, chairman of Utar board of trustees and Professor Chuah Hean Teik, president/CEO of Utar council in Kampar, and I gave them in writing my final donation offer as follows:
Final donation offer letter to Utar made on March 1, 2010
Koon’s mission is to help Utar students, especially the poor ones, get access to university residential accommodation and scholarships.
• All the RM30 million donation and the profit from the rental and other income must be used for building hostels and other associated residential buildings for the use of students within the campus of Utar, Kampar.
• All construction contracts exceeding RM10,000 must be open to competitive tenders.
• The task force is to be composed of seven members, four to be nominated by Utar and three by myself or by my nominee.
• I will be appointed by Utar as adviser to the task force. The role of adviser must be spelt out and be agreeable to me. This position will be a lifelong one. Any change to be made to the position has to be sanctioned by me or by the executors of my estate.
• Utar will utilise a team of people to manage the hostel on a commercial basis. The rental rate must be competitive and profitable but at the same time it should not burden the students.
• Koon and his estate reserve the right to authorise Utar to use a portion of the net income to create a Koon Yew Yin Charity Foundation to help poor students by offering scholarships or loans to Utar and other needy students.
• In honour of his donation, Koon wishes to have a tablet prominently displayed with these words inscribed:
Recipients of Koon Yew Yin’s scholarships and residents of Koon Yew Yin’s hostels have only to promise him that when they graduate and are financially solvent, they will help other poor people.
The whole residential village is to be named Koon Yew Yin Residential Complex. Each hostel block should be named after the fundamental rights of citizens such as Liberty, Justice, Equality, Fraternity, Freedom, Integrity, etc.