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Gratitude theme for Utar do

KAMPAR: The MCA has chosen the theme Culture of Gratitude for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) campus here tomorrow in appreciation of the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

Perak MCA chairman Datuk Ong Ka Chuan said the Prime Minister had brought progress and development to the nation, adding that a speech and a poem to thank Dr Mahathir for his contribution would be read out during the ceremony. 

He said this at a press conference during a visit by state secretary Datuk Dr Isahak Yeop Mohamad Shar to the Utar building site at Bandar Baru Kampar yesterday. 

The Prime Minister will perform the ground-breaking at 3pm, once the last leg of the Utar torch run ends.  

GETTING READY: Isahak (second from left) looking at a banner for the Utar ground-breaking ceremony at the university buidling site in Bandar Baru Kampar Friday. With him are Ong (third from left), Kampar MP Tan Sri Hew See Tong (second from right) and other MCA leaders.

The run is expected to be flagged off at the town field here at 12.45pm.  

Ong said members of about 200 organisations, representing various social and religious societies, would be present at the ceremony with banners proclaiming their gratitude for peace, stability, development and freedom of worship in the country under the leadership of Dr Mahathir. 

Acrobatic group Soka Gakai will put up a colourful display, which will include a human formation of the Petronas Twin Towers, to symbolise the country’s development and modernisation.  

He said the organisers of the event had sent out 10,000 invitations for the event but, he added, anyone could come to witness the ceremony as “Utar is a dream come true for the Chinese community”. 

On the torch run, Ong said it would continue to be organised by MCA members to raise funds for Utar and to create awareness, as well as to encourage youths to study hard. 

He said the first phase of the project, which would cost about RM60mil, was expected to be completed within three years. 

Construction of the buildings would blend with the natural surroundings at the site to create a conducive environment to study, he added. 

Regarding the nearby branch campus of the Tunku Abdul Rahman College, he said students currently studying at its rented premises could move into the new college next week. 

State assemblyman for Lahat Lee Kon Yin said about 30,000 people were expected for the ground-breaking ceremony, adding that 700 buses would be used to ferry guests to the site.