KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) is strengthening its role as a key driver of inclusive and sustainable development as it marks its 60th anniversary.
This is underpinned by a more disciplined investment framework, financial transformation and high-impact socio-economic programmes.
Mara director general Datuk Zulfikri Osman said the milestone reflects Mara’s strategic transition into a more disciplined capital allocator, combining financial performance with measurable social outcomes while positioning its ecosystem for long-term national value creation.
He said Mara’s corporate financial sector transformation has begun delivering clear and quantifiable results, reinforcing financial resilience and operational discipline despite a challenging macroeconomic environment.
Between 2024 and 2025, Mara recorded a 10 per cent increase in revenue to RM1.69 billion from RM1.53 billion previously.
This is alongside a significant reduction in accumulated losses driven by improved governance and rationalisation measures.
MARA Corp Group, in particular, reduced its accumulated losses from RM862.1 million in 2023 and is on track to narrow this to RM49.7 million by end-2026, before returning to an accumulated profit position by 2027.
Zulfikri said operational efficiency has improved through a more value-driven investment approach, ensuring optimal capital allocation and sustainable returns across its portfolio.
Beyond financial metrics, Mara’s investments have generated substantial socio-economic impact.
From 2021 to 2025, its key developmental entities created RM1.67 billion in socio-economic value.
GiatMara expanded its trainee base to over 36,000 students, generating RM1.44 billion in value with a social return on investment (SROI) ratio of 1:1.49, while Yayasan Pelajaran Mara benefited 280,903 individuals and delivered RM235 million in value with an SROI of 1:2.34.
Collectively, these initiatives achieved an overall SROI of 1:1.57, underscoring Mara’s ability to translate investment into tangible benefits for the rakyat.
Looking ahead, Mara is advancing strategic investments totalling RM2.2 billion, spanning carbon credit initiatives, high-value property developments and a pipeline of future projects aimed at strengthening its asset base and diversifying revenue streams.
Among the developments are projects in Kota Kinabalu, Negri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur, as well as a future pipeline in Pulau Indah, designed to enhance long-term portfolio resilience.
A key pillar of Mara’s strategy is the scaling of Wakaf Mara Madani as a structured social finance platform.
With projections to reach RM100 million by 2026, the agency aims to build a RM1 billion waqf ecosystem to drive sustainable and multi-generational impact.
Zulfikri said Mara is also strengthening governance through digital transformation, including the implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system targeted for completion by December 2026.
The system is expected to enhance financial transparency, strengthen accountability and improve decision-making across the organisation.
He added that Mara continues to balance financial performance with socio-economic impact, supported by RM40 million in dividend contributions, while remaining committed to disciplined capital allocation and future-ready investments.
As part of its strategic shift, Mara is accelerating initiatives to unlock value across its portfolio, including plans to list high-performing entities such as its healthcare and education arms, including Kolej Poly-Tech Mara Sdn Bhd (KPTMSB) and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).
The anniversary celebration, held over five days at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur, further reinforced Mara’s role through strategic collaborations and global initiatives.
More than 30 formal agreements were exchanged, alongside the launch of 12 new products and initiatives involving nine subsidiaries.
Key highlights include the introduction of a Shariah-compliant investment fund, expanded financing access for Bumiputera contractors, and strengthened international partnerships in aerospace, education and renewable energy.
Notably, Mara also introduced what it described as the world’s first Shariah-compliant carbon credit framework, with a targeted carbon area exceeding 200,000 hectares and potential revenue of up to RM450 million by 2030.
Zulfikri said these efforts position Mara as a dynamic and resilient institution capable of driving large-scale transformation across economic development, sustainability and high-value sectors, while continuing to deliver inclusive growth for the Bumiputera community.