KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM) has taken the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) leadership to task over its new business plan, which the former described as an act of betrayal to Bumiputera government agency stakeholders.
In denouncing the recent announcement by Mara chairman Dr Hasnita Hashim that the agency would focus on investment in the education sector and entrepreneurship, DPMM said Mara should not resort to taking the easy approach in cutting its losses.
DPMM president Datuk Seri Syed Hussein Alhabshee urged Mara to instead empower the agency in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV 2030) by addressing the difficulties experienced among Bumiputera entrepreneurs at the regional level as well as those in rural areas.
“DPMM considers this (Mara’s new business plan) as an act of betrayal of the responsibility entrusted to the ‘Majlis’ (leadership) by stakeholders across different locations and political affiliations to keep all of Mara’s functions intact,” he said in a statement today.
Syed Hussein described Mara’s new business plan as “the nation backwards”.
“Mara needs to play a major role in addressing the difficulties faced by Bumiputera (entrepreneurs) at the regional and rural areas.
“The agency has the national network as well as the funding to deliver this.
“Mara also has the brand (presence) and officers to realise the aspiration of SPV 2030.
“But does Mara have the leadership?” Syed Hussein said DPMM urged Mara to take remedial action by “putting a brake” on its strategies, especially its plan to reduce the scope of the agency to merely education and entrepreneurship.
Syed Hussein said this included putting an immediate halt to the closure of Mara Corporation.
“The agency must also engage with key stakeholders to develop relevant policies and strategies, focusing on SPV.
“It must also use Mara’s full socio-economic development mandate apart from strengthening the leadership of the agency by placing emphasis on economic development competencies.
“The ‘Majlis’ must also be strengthened to include sufficient education expertise.”
Syed Hussein also urged Mara to explain the reason behind the resignation of its sole education expert after less than a year after being appointed to the post.
“Mara needs to explain why they let this happen and who now has the expertise in education in the Majlis to lead,” said Syed Hussein without naming the individual who had resigned from the leadership in the agency.