Students of the MCA-owned Tunku Abdul Rahman College (Tarc) have been left to interpret two contradictory replies over a potential move to terminate advanced diploma courses from next year.

Last Thursday, student sources told malaysiakini that they had heard the Tarc council had decided to stop providing these courses, in order to encourage students to further their studies at MCA's newly-opened Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar).

Today, when asked to comment, former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik said a final decision had yet to be made, and that "it is too premature to make an announcement".

Ling, who heads both the Tarc and Utar councils, conceded that there is a need to align the roles of the two institutions.

He said this after launching a blood donation campaign at the Tarc main campus in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

"Previously we did not have Utar, so we did everything possible to educate Tarc students as highly as possible," he explained.

"Now that we have Utar, we have set up a high-level committee to look into how the roles can complement each other. Obviously, there is now a need to adjust and redefine the roles."

Ling, who claimed that he is not on the committee, refused to reveal the identity of the members. He also would not be drawn out to the kind of decision to anticipate or when this will be made.

"If they need six months, don't ask them to do it in six days," he said.

Addressing concerns, he said students should not worry "because no one is going to suffer" (as a result of the readjustment).

Tarc principal Yoong Lai Thye (left), who was present at the press conference, also refused to comment.

A college official contacted last week had claimed the college was not involved in the decision, adding that it would have to comply with the council's instructions.

Change of mind

Students contacted today said the college administration appears to have relented, following objections expressed.

Since Monday, teaching staff have informed students during lectures that the advanced diploma courses will be retained and that no changes will be made to the current college system.

"But now (with Ling's statement), we are confused. To whom should we listen - the college or Dr Ling?" asked a student who requested anonymity.

"We hope the college will clarify the situation by issuing a written statement to assure us that the courses will be retained."

He urged the college to stand by its latest decision, expressing the hope that there would be no shocks in store next year.

"We were caught by surprise over the news of the termination...we don't want another surprise," he added.

The move is expected to affect more than 6,000 students who annually enroll into the two-year advanced diploma course. Their preference of Tarc over Utar has to do with the wider choice of courses offered and lower tuition fees.

Where Utar is a fully private college that offers only eight degree programmes, Tarc receives a 50 percent government subsidy - making it the most affordable private college in the country.

Another objection is that Utar does not yet have a permanent campus. Students are being temporarily placed at the Tarc campus in Setapak and the old The Star office in Petaling Jaya, until a new facility is completed in Perak.

The setting up of Utar was announced by Ling in 2001 when MCA was facing strong public protest against the party's controversial takeover of two Chinese newspapers, Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press.