Majlis Amanah Rakyat
Encyclopedia
The Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Malay
for 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.
in 1966. It had originally begun as the Rural Industrial Development Authority (RIDA), which was established by the British
colonial administration
in 1951, a program to provide economic assistance and support to Malay
farmers and rural inhabitants - this organisation was later expanded in scope and became the MARA in 1966. Although it is an autonomous government agency, it reports to the Minister of Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development, who appoints all the members of the MARA Council Members. Besides state-level offices in the 13 states of Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
, MARA also operates three offices overseas — one in London
, Washington, D.C.
and another in Alexandria
, Egypt
s. Such loans may be repaid either in the conventional Western manner, or in the style of Islamic banking
, depending on the borrower's preference. MARA also offers entrepreneurship courses, vocational training, consultancy services, and assistance in marketing for Bumiputra entrepreneurs.
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.
MARA also operates several junior college
s or boarding school
s, and Universiti Kuala Lumpur. Previously, Universiti Teknologi MARA
was operated by MARA but now it has become its own entity under the Ministry of Higher Education. 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". 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. In admissions, preference is given to students from low-income families, rural areas and/or those living in squatter settlements in the cities.
In addition to MRSMs and the UniKL, numerous vocational and professional colleges are also operated by MARA such as Pusat GIAT MARA & Kolej Kemahiran MARA. These vocational colleges give a second lane of higher education to students who not be able to continue their studies in universities. There are also Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA and German-Malaysian Institute.
Scholarship
s are also offered to Bumiputra students for both local and foreign institutions of higher learning. However, students must specialise in certain professions, such as engineering, medicine or accounting.
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
for Indigenous People's Trust Council; commonly abbreviated as MARA) is a Malaysian government agency. It was formed to aid, train, and guide Bumiputra
Bumiputra
Bumiputera or Bumiputra is a Malay term widely used in Malaysia, embracing indigenous people of the Malay Archipelago. The term comes from the Sanskrit word bhumiputra, which can be translated literally as "son of land"...
(Malays
Malay people
Malays are an ethnic group of Austronesian people predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, including the southernmost parts of Thailand, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations...
and other indigenous Malaysians) in the areas of business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
and industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
. MARA was formed on March 1, 1966 under the Rural and National Development Ministry.
History and organisation
MARA was formed by an act of ParliamentParliament of Malaysia
The Parliament of Malaysia is the national legislature of Malaysia, based on the Westminster system. The bicameral parliament consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The King as the Head of State is the third component of Parliament....
in 1966. It had originally begun as the Rural Industrial Development Authority (RIDA), which was established by the British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
colonial administration
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
in 1951, a program to provide economic assistance and support to Malay
Malaysian Malay
In Malaysia, the Malay population is defined by Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution as someone born to a Malaysian citizen who professes to be a Muslim, habitually speaks the Malay language, adheres to Malay customs and is domiciled in Malaysia or Singapore...
farmers and rural inhabitants - this organisation was later expanded in scope and became the MARA in 1966. Although it is an autonomous government agency, it reports to the Minister of Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development, who appoints all the members of the MARA Council Members. Besides state-level offices in the 13 states of Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, MARA also operates three offices overseas — one in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and another in Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
Entrepreneurship aid
Among other things, MARA offers loans to Bumiputra entrepreneurEntrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
s. Such loans may be repaid either in the conventional Western manner, or in the style of Islamic banking
Islamic banking
Islamic banking is banking or banking activity that is consistent with the principles of Islamic law and its practical application through the development of Islamic economics. Sharia prohibits the fixed or floating payment or acceptance of specific interest or fees for loans of money...
, depending on the borrower's preference. MARA also offers entrepreneurship courses, vocational training, consultancy services, and assistance in marketing for Bumiputra entrepreneurs.
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.
Education
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
s or boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
s, and Universiti Kuala Lumpur. Previously, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Universiti Teknologi MARA is a coeducational public university with its main campus located in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.It is the flagship institution of the Universiti Teknologi MARA...
was operated by MARA but now it has become its own entity under the Ministry of Higher Education. 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". Until recently, the MRSMs were only open to Bumiputra students. However, the Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
government pledged during its campaign for the 2004 general election
Malaysian general election, 2004
General elections were held in Malaysia on March 21, 2004. The incumbent National Front government of Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was re-elected with an increased majority.-Election results:...
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. In admissions, preference is given to students from low-income families, rural areas and/or those living in squatter settlements in the cities.
In addition to MRSMs and the UniKL, numerous vocational and professional colleges are also operated by MARA such as Pusat GIAT MARA & Kolej Kemahiran MARA. These vocational colleges give a second lane of higher education to students who not be able to continue their studies in universities. There are also Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA and German-Malaysian Institute.
Scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
s are also offered to Bumiputra students for both local and foreign institutions of higher learning. However, students must specialise in certain professions, such as engineering, medicine or accounting.