Najib: Mara should remain authoritative entity

SHAH ALAM: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) should remain an authoritative entity, said former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said if Mara’s function was broken into several ministries, it would be difficult to focus on implementing programmes involving Bumiputeras.

“We do not know yet what Pakatan Harapan’s plan is, but the Bumiputera agenda should continue to be fought for.

“Mara is a big conglomerate with many branches and we think it is important for the future of Bumiputeras,” he said in Bandar Setia Alam here yesterday.

He was commenting on the government’s plan to revamp Mara’s activities through the concept of isolation and absorption under several ministries.

On the government’s plan to restructure Khazanah Nasional Bhd following the resignation of its managing director and board members, he said the posts were not political appointments.

He said although Khazanah Nasional’s board of directors was chaired by the prime minister, all decisions were guided by advice given by the board of directors and management.

In fact, he said, there was an exco chaired by Khazanah Nasional’s deputy chairman and its members were professionals.

He said Khazanah Nasional’s assets were only RM33 billion when he took over, but when he left, its assets were almost RM134 billion.

“Khazanah’s Bumiputera agenda includes providing scholarships and a platform for Bumiputera technocrats to manage companies with big assets and forge international markets. It aims to boost the nation’s wealth so that the government can help the people,” he said.