Majlis Amanah Rakyat

The Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Malay: Indigenous People's Trust Council; commonly abbreviated as MARA) is a Malaysian government agency. It was formed to aid, train, and guide Bumiputra (Malays and other indigenous Malaysians) in the areas of business and industry. MARA was formed on March 1, 1966 under the Rural and National Development Ministry.

History and organisation

MARA was formed by an act of Parliament in 1966. It had originally begun as the Rural Industrial Development Agency (RIDA), which was established by the British colonial administration in 1951.^[2][3] Although it is an autonomous government agency, it reports to the Minister of Entrepreneurial Development, who appoints all the members of the MARA Board of Directors. Besides state-level offices in the 13 states of Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, MARA also operates two offices overseas — one in London, and another in Washington, D.C. ^[4]

[edit] Entrepreneurship aid

Among other things, MARA offers loans to Bumiputra entrepreneurs. ^[5] Such loans may be repaid either in the conventional Western manner, or in the style of Islamic banking, depending on the borrower's preference. ^[6] MARA also offers entrepreneurship courses, vocational training, consultancy services, and assistance in marketing for Bumiputra entrepreneurs. ^[7]

MARA also constructs infrastructure, such as shoplots or factories, which are rented to Bumiputra entrepreneurs at a subsidised rate. These facilities are often constructed in towns or underdeveloped areas of the country, to encourage further development there. ^[8]

[edit] Education

MARA also operates several junior colleges or boarding schools, and a university — Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), which is open only to Bumiputra. The junior colleges, referred to as Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MARA Junior Science Colleges, often abbreviated as MRSMs), are operated by the Education & Training (Secondary) Department of MARA, whose stated mission is to "produce Bumiputra students of potential in science and technology".^[9] Until recently, the MRSMs were only open to Bumiputra students. However, the Barisan Nasional government pledged during its campaign for the 2004 general election that the MRSMs would be opened to all. Eventually, they were opened, with a quota allocating 10% of all places in MRSMs to non-Bumiputras. ^[10] In admissions, preference is given to students from low-income families, rural areas and/or those living in squatter settlements in the cities. ^[11]

In addition to MRSMs and the UiTM, numerous vocational and professional colleges are also operated by MARA, for the benefit of Bumiputra students.^[12]

Scholarships are also offered to Bumiputra students for both local and foreign institutions of higher learning. However, students must specialise in certain professions, such as medicine or accounting. ^[13]

Notes and references

1. ^ Abdullah, Mustaza & Hj. Yahya, MatMarjani (1991). Kemahiran Hidup Bersepadu TERAS, p 108. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. ISBN 983-62-2316-9.
2. ^ Adam, Ramlah binti, Samuri, Abdul Hakim bin & Fadzil, Muslimin bin (2004). Sejarah Tingkatan 3, p. 134. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. ISBN 983-62-8285-8.
3. ^ "IMBASAN KEMBALI........". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
4. ^ "MAKLUMAT KORPORAT". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
5. ^ Abdullah & Hj. Yahya, p. 106.
6. ^ "Jenis Pinjaman MARA". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
7. ^ "Bahagian Pembangunan Usahawan - BPU". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
8. ^ "BAHAGIAN PEMBANGUNAN INFRASTRUKTUR PERNIAGAAN(BPI)". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
9. ^ "Profile". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
10. ^ Pua, Tony (2005). "Mara Junior Science Colleges: A Peek". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
11. ^ "PERATURAN KEMASUKAN KE MRSM". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
12. ^ "PUSAT-PUSAT MARA". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.
13. ^ "Bahagian Penganjuran Pelajaran MARA - BPP". Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006.