Tag: MARA

MARA TVET achieves almost 100 percent marketability – DPM Ahmad Zahid

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 270 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions under the People's Trust Council (MARA) recorded a graduate employability rate of approximately 99.5 percent, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He, who is also the Chairman of the National TVET Council, said that this proud achievement proves that MARA TVET institutions are at the forefront of making the national TVET agenda a success, which is now entering the TVET 2.0 phase. "I also really appreciate that the private sector has been at the forefront of supporting TVET across the country by offering not only new modules but also providing equipment, tools and machinery for certain TVET institutions. "They are welcoming TVET 2.0 not only with the various contributions that I mentioned earlier, but they have also signed an agreement with the National TVET Council and most TVET institutions in Malaysia, that all TVET students will be employed by this industry, 100 percent absorbed into the industry," he said when speaking at the National TVET Day 2026 celebration, here, today. The National TVET 2026 celebration was held at Dataran Putrajaya here, with the opening ceremony and launch of TVET 2.0 officiated by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the implementation of TVET 2.0 will focus more on new fields that have high marketability such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and renewable energy, without neglecting conventional fields that continue to be in demand. "In TVET 2.0, apart from the focus I have given, we have also sent teaching staff from certain TVET institutions abroad for free, not funded by the government but funded by the industry abroad for our teachers," he said. In addition, he said, the industry also offers premium salaries to TVET graduates, with a minimum salary of RM2,500 for those who complete the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) course, above the current minimum wage rate. He said the employability rate of TVET graduates nationwide had also increased to 98.7 percent at the end of May compared to 95.1 percent previously. "This is an achievement that we are grateful for and as I often say, achieving success is difficult but maintaining it is even more difficult. Our duty and responsibility is not only to maintain that success but also to continue to improve it," he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said that students from tahfiz schools and pondok schools are now also given the opportunity to pursue TVET, including in aerospace engineering and maritime engineering through programmes offered by UniKL. "This will raise the level of maahad tahfiz students who have so far only focused on the fields of syariah and usuluddin. God willing, we will see in the next three to five years, apart from continuing to maintain memorization of the Quran, they will become engineers and be involved in aerospace," he said. He said the move is expected to produce more highly skilled professionals among tahfiz students without affecting their mastery in the field of religion. Ahmad Zahid also said that seven universities in the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) offer higher education pathways to TVET students up to master's and doctorate (PhD) levels. He said the government has allocated RM7.9 billion to the TVET sector through the 2026 Budget, which is the highest allocation ever given to strengthen the implementation of TVET 2.0, including skills enhancement and retraining programmes. Regarding the celebration of National TVET Day 2026, he said that this year's event was held on a relatively large scale despite the very low cost, thus reflecting the efficiency of resource management and the government's commitment in ensuring that high-impact programs can continue without burdening the country's expenses. Taking up the theme "TVET, the Top Career Choice", the National TVET Day 2026 celebration, for three days until Sunday, starting from 9 am to 10 pm, brings together more than 107 agencies, institutions, and industry players from nine major sectors on one stage, covering the fields of aerospace, electronics and digital, agriculture, transportation and automotive, advanced manufacturing, services, rail, maritime and the energy sectors. -- BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 270 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions under the People’s Trust Council (MARA) recorded a graduate employability rate of approximately 99.5 percent, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He, who is also the Chairman of the National TVET Council, said that this proud achievement proves that […]

MARA Remains Core Institution in Empowering Bumiputera Development – PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday reaffirmed the important role of MARA as the core institution in advancing the Bumiputera empowerment agenda through a more fair, inclusive and comprehensive national development framework. Speaking after a special meeting with MARA’s top management, Anwar said the institution continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the future of the Bumiputera community while contributing towards building a more sustainable and resilient nation. He stressed that efforts to strengthen Bumiputera empowerment must continue through expanded access to quality education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), skills training, education financing, entrepreneurial development and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). According to the Prime Minister, policies and initiatives championed by MARA have helped produce more skilled and semi-skilled workers, as well as competitive local professionals and entrepreneurs capable of contributing meaningfully to the national workforce. “These efforts will simultaneously increase Bumiputera participation, ownership and mastery in the national economy in line with present demands and future challenges,” he said. Anwar also highlighted MARA’s various transformation initiatives and entrepreneur scaling programmes, which have benefited millions of Bumiputera students and entrepreneurs by strengthening social mobility and economic participation. He emphasized that the Bumiputera empowerment agenda must continue to be driven with strong governance, integrity and effective implementation to ensure lasting impact for future generations. The Prime Minister said the special meeting with MARA leadership was aimed at ensuring the institution remains focused on delivering its mandate efficiently while adapting to evolving economic realities and national priorities. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday reaffirmed the important role of MARA as the core institution in advancing the Bumiputera empowerment agenda through a more fair, inclusive and comprehensive national development framework. Speaking after a special meeting with MARA’s top management, Anwar said the institution continues to play a vital role […]

MADANI Government Expands Support for Small Businesses Facing Rising Costs

PUTRAJAYA, 13 May — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday chaired the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting, which focused on strengthening Malaysia’s preparedness and economic resilience in facing the ongoing global supply crisis and rising cost of living. During the meeting, several strategic proposals and initiatives were discussed, including measures to reduce rental rates for business premises under the supervision of local authorities (PBTs) nationwide. Anwar stressed that more local authorities should emulate the efforts already implemented by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and MARA in lowering rental rates for traders and premise occupants, particularly to ease the burden faced by hawkers and small business operators affected by increasing operating costs. “The MADANI Government has begun implementing rental reductions through DBKL and MARA. This compassionate approach should serve as an example for other local authorities across the country in safeguarding the welfare of the people and ensuring the continuity of small businesses amid increasingly challenging global economic conditions,” he said. The Prime Minister added that the meeting also reviewed several strategic measures aimed at addressing global economic uncertainty, including the development of a Global Supply Crisis Monitoring Dashboard and proposed policy improvements related to supply management and price control. Taking into account the impact of the global crisis on the prices of daily necessities, Anwar instructed all ministries to restructure and strengthen existing initiatives, assistance, and intervention efforts to ensure aid reaches targeted groups effectively, especially the poor and vulnerable communities. He reiterated that MTEN will continue prioritising efforts to guarantee supply continuity and protect the rakyat, particularly vulnerable groups and small traders, from the effects of global economic shocks. “The government remains committed to ensuring no one is left behind as we navigate these global economic challenges together,” he said. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

PUTRAJAYA, 13 May — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday chaired the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting, which focused on strengthening Malaysia’s preparedness and economic resilience in facing the ongoing global supply crisis and rising cost of living. During the meeting, several strategic proposals and initiatives were discussed, including measures to reduce rental rates for […]

MARA at 60 Must Champion Fair Opportunity, Not Just Celebrate Legacy – PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the 60th anniversary of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) should not be viewed as a routine institutional milestone, but as a profound reflection of Malaysia’s long journey in balancing merit, justice, and social responsibility. In a statement today, Anwar stressed that MARA’s legacy represents more than six decades of policy—it embodies the nation’s ongoing effort to build a more inclusive future. “The debate on affirmative action has never subsided. It is often reduced to narrow and simplistic arguments,” he said, noting that criticisms rooted in pure meritocracy—such as those associated with American economist Thomas Sowell—should not be adopted uncritically without considering Malaysia’s unique socio-economic realities. Anwar argued that perspectives emphasizing unrestricted competition risk overlooking structural inequalities. Drawing from the tradition of economist John Kenneth Galbraith, he said social justice is not merely rhetorical but a structural necessity to prevent communities from being trapped in cycles of marginalisation. “Justice must be upheld not to deny merit, but to correct longstanding imbalances. Without principled intervention, meritocracy risks becoming a tool that legitimises inequality rather than resolving it,” he added. Referencing philosopher John Rawls’ concept of “justice as fairness,” Anwar questioned the validity of demanding equal competition without first ensuring equal access. “How can we expect fair competition between elite urban schools and students in remote areas such as Kapit, Manik Urai, Hulu Kelantan or Hulu Pahang, without first guaranteeing equitable opportunities and foundations?” he said. Anwar concluded that justice must ultimately manifest through equal opportunity, reaffirming MARA’s continued role as a vehicle for empowerment—particularly in education, entrepreneurship, and social mobility. “MARA must continue to uplift every child of the nation, regardless of background or geography, so they may rise with dignity and strong competitiveness,” he said. -- Minutes MY --Credit: FB Anwar Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the 60th anniversary of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) should not be viewed as a routine institutional milestone, but as a profound reflection of Malaysia’s long journey in balancing merit, justice, and social responsibility. In a statement today, Anwar stressed that MARA’s legacy represents more than six decades […]