KUALA NERUS: Two higher education institutions under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) namely Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM) and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), are targeted to be listed on Bursa Malaysia within the next three years.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the target was set based on the current profit performance achieved by both institutions.
“We have set a maximum timeframe of three years from now based on the profit track record, which is a prerequisite for listing on Bursa Malaysia,” he told reporters after the closing session of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and agency-owned companies retreat 2026 here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid said that to sustain the financial performance of both entities, profits need to be increased through measures such as boosting student enrolment, including international students.
He said this could be achieved by strengthening courses aligned with new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and robotics, adding that the target is in line with the Bumiputra Economic Transformation Plan 2035, which represented a major shift in bumiputra development.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said three healthcare entities – U.n.i Klinik, U.n.i Farmasi and U.n.i Klinik Pergigian – would be consolidated into a single Mara professional entrepreneur entity, which is also targeted for listing on Bursa Malaysia within the same timeframe.
“We also aim for the group of Mara entrepreneurs who have received Mara financing to operate U.n.i Klinik, pharmacies and dental clinics to be listed as professional entrepreneur entities, guided and financed by Mara,” he said.
On a separate note, Ahmad Zahid said the ministry and agency-owned companies retreat 2026, which took place over three days starting last Sunday, outlined 28 ‘game changers’ or key initiatives to serve as guidelines for this year to drive rural development and well-being.
Key initiatives include the development of selected rural areas into integrated investment hubs, supported by an ecosystem to attract value-added investments and strengthen socio-economic outcomes.
In addition, he said the ministry would establish a dedicated complex as a rural commercial one-stop centre, bringing together products, services and local community economic activities, with an annual sales target exceeding RM14mil. — Bernama
