Kuala Lumpur: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) deputy director-general (entrepreneurship) Datuk Zulfikri Osman has been appointed as the new MARA director-general. MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced the appointment in a Facebook post today, stating that the appointment took effect yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zulfikri replaces Datuk Seri Azhar Abdul Manaf, who is retiring. The MARA council, during its 587th meeting (No 5 Year 2025) on March 13, 2025, and with the agreement of Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, agreed to appoint Datuk Zulfikri Osman as MARA director-general effective March 17, 2025.

Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki expressed well wishes for Datuk Seri Azhar, acknowledging his dedicated service. On behalf of the MARA council and staff, he thanked Azhar for his leadership during his tenure at MARA.