He said it was important for all communities to understand MARA’s objectives so as not to cause any dissatisfaction.

“If we see the parliamentary act (Majlis Amanah Rakyat Act 1966), we cannot deny the objective of Mara’s establishment,” he said, responding to calls by Subang Jaya MP R Sivarasa that the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM)  consider opening its doors to non-Bumiputeras.

He added that weaknesses within the B40 income group should be addressed through Mara as many of those affected were Malays or Bumiputeras.

Last Friday, Sivarasa denied that he had proposed that MRSM be open to all races.

He also denied he had suggested MRSM change its name.

Redzuan also said the decision on which ministry would oversee Mara would be finalised before Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) 100 days were up.

He said Mara was under the purview of the ministry of entreprenuerial and cooperative development before the ministry was disbanded in 2009.

It was then placed under the rural and regional development ministry until PH took over the government after the May 9 general election.

“Under this new government, it is most likely that Mara will be returned to the ministry in charge of entrepreneur development.

“I personally feel that there are many aspects involving entrepreneur development, which were stopped in 2009, that would need to be resumed,” he said after visiting the Mara headquarters here today.

When asked what were the changes that would be made if Mara was placed under the purview of his ministry, Redzuan said there would not be any major changes but certain improvements would be made on the existing policies.

Mara was established on March 1, 1966, under the Parliamentary Act to promote, encourage, facilitate and carry out economic and community development programmes for the Bumiputeras, especially in rural areas.