Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants Majlis Amanah Rakyat's (MARA) role to be further strengthened as a core institution for Bumiputera empowerment through a more equitable, inclusive, and comprehensive development agenda.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized the need for access to quality education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) skills development, education financing, entrepreneurship development, and support for small and medium enterprises as avenues to achieve this goal. He stressed the importance of these areas during a special meeting with MARA's top management, aiming to ensure that the Bumiputera empowerment agenda continues to be driven with integrity-driven and effective governance.

"Through MARA's advocated policies, more skilled and semi-skilled workers, as well as competitive local professionals and entrepreneurs, can be developed, contributing to the nation's workforce," Anwar stated in a Facebook post. He highlighted that this approach would increase Bumiputera participation, ownership, and control in the national economy, aligning with current needs and future challenges.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that MARA's transformation initiatives and entrepreneur scaling programmes have already benefitted millions of Bumiputera students and entrepreneurs, enhancing social mobility and economic control within the community.