Students of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) in Kampar have expressed hope that the monthly rent for off-campus rooms can be reduced to a more affordable RM150.

utar kampar Their plea takes on greater urgency, now that their prospect of being able to live on campus appears less likely .

They now have to rent rooms in two sectors that they have dubbed ‘west lake’ (covering Bandar Baru) and ‘east lake’ (Taman Kampar Perdana), as there is a lake in each sector.

The west lake sector is divided into several housing schemes that accommodate the majority of the student population. Rooms here offer Internet access and security services.

According to students interviewed, the rent is RM260 for a single room, and RM235-270 per tenant for a double room, with the amount also covering the cost of utility supplies.

In the east lake sector, the rent ranges between RM100 and RM150 per room, excluding the cost of water and electricity supply.

There are no security and Internet facilities, but the crime rate is said to be lower here.

Varying sums

Two students aged 22, who wanted to be identified only as Gary and Ken, said they each pay RM200 a month.

Other students interviewed cited varying sums - Chia, 21, pays RM144 for a single room; Carmen, 19, pays RM220; and Andy, 23, pays RM100 in the east lake sector.

A call to accommodation provider Danish House Sdn Bhd confirmed that the rent is between RM200 and RM300 depending on the size of the room.

Koon Yew Yin It was reported yesterday that thousands of students will lose out on the advantages of living in hostels on campus.

This follows the withdrawal of philanthropist Koon Yew Yin's (left) offer to donate RM30 million to build hostels for some 12,500 students currently.

The Utar management has explained that the offer had come with 'non-negotiable conditions' attached.

The Perak DAP had earlier questioned why MCA - which owns the campus - has not taken up the offer.