KUALA LUMPUR: The draft amendments to the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) Act 1966 are expected to be tabled before Cabinet within three weeks, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted the timeline is significantly earlier than the three-month target previously set by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, reflecting improved efficiency within the agency.
"Although I was challenged by the Prime Minister to present to the Cabinet the new Mara Act within three months, with everyone's support, I will prove that I can table it within three weeks from today," he said at the Unplugged Ansara session held in conjunction with the Kami Gen Mara Gathering here Tuesday (May 5).
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said amending the nearly 60-year-old law is critical to ensure Mara remains relevant for the next 40 to 100 years.
The amendments, he said, will focus on governance, investment, strengthening the education ecosystem and empowering entrepreneurs to adapt to rapid technological change.
Ahmad Zahid said Mara's services must now address the needs of the bumiputra community more holistically, including those in urban and suburban areas, in line with shifting demographics.
With rural populations now accounting for only about 24.7% of the national total, he said, Mara must expand its reach beyond geographical limitations.
"Malays and bumiputra no longer reside solely in rural areas; they are in suburban and urban settings as well. This means Mara must remain relevant to them wherever they are," he said.
In another development, Ahmad Zahid said the ministry is committed to expanding access to special education for children with autism through its nationwide preschool network in phases.
The initiative, which began with a pilot project in Melaka, aims to establish at least one autism education class in every district by next year to ease the burden on affected families, he added. - Bernama
