BUMIPUTERA entrepreneurs supported by Majlis Amanah Rakyat are urging the agency not to close down its business arm, Mara Corp.

Mara can help create more Bumiputera entrepreneurs, they told The Malaysian Insight.

The training and aid should remain even with the closure of Mara Corp, they said.

Besides funding, Mara also provides entrepreneurial courses, prepares a business base and connects businessmen with potential markets.

“Mara’s course helped me a lot in my business since I started following it. I became stronger in business,” said Norazilawati Muhammad.

“We were taught effective business techniques even though all the courses were free,” the 56-year-old said.

The founder of the Sari Cantik Beauty and Spa Centre for Mothers enrolled in the 10-day entrepreneurial development course in 2010.

Since then, Norazilawati, better known as Dilla, said she has frequently attended courses organised by Mara to harness her entrepreneurial skills.

“I would not be able to be here without Mara’s support. The support and guidance I received enabled me to improve my standard of living,” said the mother of three.

She has been running her business at Medan Mara in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur, since 2013. In addition to the beauty business, Dilla also produces six health products under the brand SCI.

“We have to be disciplined, pay the rental even if we do not make a profit or if we make less (for certain months), we have to ensure that the rental is paid first.

“If we want to be successful, we have to be unique, only then we will be able to compete with others,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

Mara also guided her on book-keeping and helped her obtain halal status for her products.

“Mara has helped me a lot in terms of training, providing advice and guidance,” she said, adding that she never sought funding from Mara.

“I have managed to grow my business and income with the knowledge I have acquired.”

She was also on the Britishpedia’s list of successful people for 2019.

Mara chairman Hasnita Hashim hinted earlier that the agency will close its business arm through a letter sent to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Hasnita, who was appointed on September 28, 2018, said the agency is not given enough funding by the government to function as a business entity.

Mara has to tap funding collected from students and loans to invest in business.

She also indicated in the letter that Mara will exit its business arm while continuing to focus on the education sector and entrepreneurial development.

Another Mara entrepreneur, Dzu Hendra Ja Jahruddin, 35, hopes the agency won’t stop efforts to guide businessmen.

The owner of a Kelulut honey business said Mara has done a lot to help owners develop their businesses.

“We have seen Mara’s efforts developing entrepreneurs,” said the Slim River-based businessman.

Hendra was given a base at the Slim River Medan Mara four years ago.

He also underwent continuous training after graduating from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

The computer science graduate started his honey business after graduation.

“Besides entrepreneurial courses, Mara also bridged the gap between businessman and potential buyers.

“I have also attended a programme which was attended by a Japanese company. This served as an opportunity to introduce the product (to them) and if we’re lucky, they will buy our products.”

Mara also sets up booths at events to help them sell their products.

“Mara provides the lot but the entrepreneur has to figure out the marketing and sales,” he said.

“Mara’s efforts to develop the small and medium enterprises should be continued. There are many cottage industries which do not know how to market their products.

“Whether the entrepreneur is successful or not, it depends on his own efforts. What is important is that there is an opportunity.”

Hendra added that he started the business with his own capital, without Mara’s financial assistance.

“I never borrowed from Mara. They only provided me a booth with a monthly rental of RM200 and business guidance.” – January 17, 2020.