KUALA LUMPUR – “Enough with knocking on the doors of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) office. This isn’t about sympathy – it’s about public trust.”
That was the stern reminder from Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki to defaulters who have failed to repay their loans, despite being given years of leeway.
According to him, it is no secret that some borrowers have made a habit of tracking down the schedules of Mara ministers or chairpersons, turning up at the office to plead their cases in person.
“There are groups who know exactly when I have meetings. Some even wait outside my room.
“But if you want to come to Mara and appeal to the chairman – sorry, settle your loans first, then we can talk. Restructuring the loan is fine, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for repayment.
“Not under my watch. I have the full backing of the minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who knows I won’t entertain these kinds of appeals.
“This is public money, not mine. I’ve been entrusted to safeguard it, and that matters,” he said in the latest episode of Trick Lama by PoDaBoom, the podcast arm of Big Boom Media, which also publishes Scoop.
The show is hoster by Big Boom Media CEO Datuk Zainul Arifin Mohammed Isa, executive director Datuk Ahirudin Attan (better known as Rocky Bru), and group editor Terence Fernandez.
Asyraf also revealed that Mara officers are often caught in a bind when political figures send in letters seeking discounts or deferments, making it difficult for staff to enforce policies fairly.
“Sometimes, our officers can’t do anything. A letter from ‘the top’ arrives, and they have to comply. As a result, we have loans left unpaid for seven, eight years,” he said.
He stressed that Mara now adopts a stricter, principle-based approach, issuing repayment notices every three months before initiating legal action.
“We’re not being cruel. We’re open to restructuring. But don’t show up at the office putting on a scene. If the loan isn’t settled, there’s no room for appeals,” he said.
He added that this firmer stance has the full support of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, led by Zahid, in the interest of protecting educational funds for future Bumiputera students.
“Imagine one borrower owing RM500,000 and refusing to pay. That’s the opportunity lost for 100 other students. We must ensure fairness for all – not just for those who know how to knock on the right doors,” he said. – June 5, 2025