Kuala lumpur: Amendments to the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Act 1966 will serve as a legal safeguard to ensure the Bumiputera empowerment agenda remains intact and is not altered with every change in national or organisational leadership. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the move aims to establish a stronger governance framework and stricter regulations to ensure the agency's direction remains consistent in upholding Bumiputera interests, free from political influence.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid emphasized the importance of maintaining MARA's agenda regardless of leadership changes. He expressed his commitment to finalizing the draft amendments to the MARA Act by the end of this year and tabling it in Parliament. Speaking at the MARA 60th Anniversary Celebration, attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he highlighted the necessity of closing loopholes and preventing fund leakages, given MARA's significant mandate and assets amounting to RM23 billion.

Ahmad Zahid, also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, envisions MARA becoming a self-sustaining organization capable of generating its own internal funds through strategic investments, reducing reliance on government allocations by its 100th anniversary.

Earlier, MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki noted that the agency is in the final phase of reviewing the MARA Act, which has been in place for six decades. He emphasized the need for a stronger legal foundation to enhance governance and institutional management, ensuring long-term integrity.

Asyraf Wajdi mentioned that the proposed amendments and transformation plan would be presented by Ahmad Zahid to the Prime Minister soon.